Division 3 Specific functions and duties

To provide technical assistance to the Commission in the organisation of monitoring schemes for salmonella and related anti-microbial resistance pursuant to in particular Articles 4, 5 and 7 of Directive 2003/99/EC.

To provide technical assistance to the Commission in the framework of the setting of Community targets pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003.

To advise the Commission on aspects related to salmonella vaccine strains and other specific control methods, as appropriate.

To provide technical assistance to the Commission and as appropriate, to participate in international forums relating to the areas of competence identified in point 1 above, concerning, in particular, the standardisation of analytical methods and their implementation.

To gather data and information on the activities developed and methods used in national reference laboratories and to inform the Commission thereof.

To keep abreast of developments in salmonella epidemiology.

To cooperate, as appropriate, with the Community structures involved in surveillance of salmonella, in particular with the network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Community, as established under Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council^f1, including relevant dedicated surveillance networks.