According EURL mandates, training sessions were first intended for NRLs. Since 2017, Regulation EU/625/2017 by Article 94.2.e, authorizes the possibility of conducting training courses also for other official laboratories or even for experts from third countries.

Trainings are organised according to a standard canvas which is adapted to the participants’ knowledge level and expertise.  An optimal balance between theory and practice is achieved by the alternation of lectures and exercises. Sessions are organised for both light microscopy and PCR.

Light microscopy

Both aspects of the official microscopic method are studied: the sample preparation including the sedimentation, and the microscopic observation on its own.

Each training session is supported by :

  • Theoretical and practical notes
  • Sets of pure ingredients (meat and bone meals, fish meals, hairs…) and adulterated feed samples. The set also contains several blind samples and blanks
  • Sets of permanent slides realised by the EURL-AP
  • PowerPoint presentations with animations
  • Excellent stereomicroscopes and research microscopes for each participant (for sessions at EURL-AP facilities)
  • Free access to the sample collection (for sessions at EURL-AP facilities)  
  • The presence of one expert trainer per two participants (sessions are limited to a maximum of four participants)

Each participant receives at the end of a training session a certificate of participation for its accreditation system.

Two types of training are delivered:

  • Basic training session for PAP detection – on 3 days (for NRLs and other laboratories)
  • Expert training session for invertebrates detection – on 2 days (for NRLs only)

PCR

As for light microscopy, PCR training sessions are proposed to the NRLs since 2011. Adequate training support including notes, presentations, laboratory visits, and equipment review is offered to the participants.  Demonstrations by experienced professionals on different PCR platforms are provided for the technical part of the sessions. First PCR trainings were giving priority to NRLs that needed to acquire new expertise in this field. During the time, practice for the participants (DNA extraction, PCR runs preparation with a limited number of samples and results interpretation) was also included in the program.