Commission Decision 2006/437/EC approving a Diagnostic Manual for avian influenza as provided for in Council Directive 2005/94/EC.

Pursuant to Council Directive 2005/94/EC, there is hereby approved the Diagnostic Manual setting out uniform procedures for the diagnosis of avian influenza within the European Community. To this end, the Diagnostic Manual establishes: (a) guidelines and minimum requirements for diagnostic procedures, sampling methods and criteria for the evaluation of the results of laboratory tests for a proper diagnosis of avian influenza; (b) the laboratory tests to be used for the diagnosis of avian influenza and the laboratory techniques to be used for the genetic typing of avian inlfuenza virus isolates; (c) minimum biosafety requirements and quality standards to be observed by the diagnostic laboratories and for the transport of samples.