State lab receives prestigious accreditation

Colorado

The Colorado Department of Agriculture's diagnostic laboratory has gained an elite accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).

The Rocky Mountain Regional Animal Health Laboratory (RMRAHL) is the only state laboratory in the country that handles animal diagnostic specimens with this accreditation. The Lab has earned ISO/IEC 17025-2005 accreditation, an internationally recognized standard that sets requirements for operating quality systems in testing laboratories.

"This accreditation is monumental for the Department as well as Colorado's livestock industry," said Wayne Cunningham, state veterinarian at the Colorado Department of Agriculture. "The reality is that the accreditation confirms the laboratory's excellent philosophy, techniques and work."

The scope of accreditation covers 24 tests that RMRAHL performs. A few of the tests include Johne's Disease liquid and solid culture, Trichomonas foetus polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Trichomonas spp. identification, and both codon 136 and 171 Scrapie genetic susceptibility testing.

"By having a strict quality assurance program in place, it assures our clients that their samples are being tested by a high quality laboratory," said Don Ament, commissioner at the Department.

RMRAHL offers laboratory services that promote herd health and marketplace competitiveness. The lab provides a means of conducting animal disease diagnosis and surveillance activities that facilitate the movement and marketing of livestock. RMRAHL's mission is to provide accurate, timely, efficient laboratory services and logistical support to regulatory programs and veterinary practitioners.

For more information on the Rocky Mountain Regional Animal Health Laboratory, visit the Web at www.rmrahl.org or call 303-477-0049.

Date:1/25/06