China Catalogue of Animal Pathogenic Microorganisms has been updated and released for industry comment. This latest version has been developed by the Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs by combining the 2005 “Catalogue of Animal Pathogenic Microorganisms” together with the 2008 “Detailed Requirements for Biosafety of Animal Pathogenic Microorganism Experimental Activities”. The draft update was released on January 16, 2024.
Background to the updated Catalogue:
Biological safety in animal pathogenic microorganism laboratories is vital for national biosecurity and impacts not only livestock but also food and ultimately public health. While progress has been made, issues such as unrecorded lab expansions and unauthorized experiments persist. This is a serious issue. The law must be upheld, staff trained accordingly, and laboratory management must be enhanced to ensure biological safety and risk prevention.
Summary of the updated Catalogue:
This reclassification of pathogenic microorganisms and associated requirements for laboratory environments serves as a regulatory and guiding framework for pathogenic microorganism research, clinical work, and veterinary drug development.
It provides guidance for selecting biosafety-compliant laboratories for pathogenic microorganism testing and serves as a crucial reference for the design and approval of biosafety for laboratories in veterinary pharmaceutical companies. Veterinary enterprises, whether establishing new facilities or renovating existing ones, must adhere to the latest regulations and consistently enhance and maintain biosafety standards.
Here are some examples of the catalogue content:
English name of animal pathogenic microorganisms | Classification of hazard levels | g Biosafety level of laboratory required for experimental activities | g Biosafety level of laboratory required for experimental activities | g Biosafety level of laboratory required for experimental activities | g Biosafety level of laboratory required for experimental activities | f Transport packaging requirements | f Transport packaging requirements | Remark | Amendment note |
a Pathogen isolation and culture | b Animal infection experiments | c Testing of infectious materials and clinically suspected samples | d Inactivation Material Experiment | Classification | UN no. | ||||
Swine vesicular disease virus | Class I | BSL-3 | ABSL-3 | BSL-2 | BSL-2 | A | UN2900 | c Samples are handled in a class II biosafety cabinet | Name revision |
Nipahvirus | Class I | BSL-4 | ASSL-4 | BSL-3 | BSL-3 | A | UN2814 | e Routine sample testing is available at the BSL-2 laboratory | NEW |
Lumpyskindiseasevirus | Class II | BSL-3 | ABSL-3 | BSL-2 | BSL-2 | A | UN2900 | Name revision | |
Whitespotsyndrome virus | Class III | BSL-2 | ABSL-2 | BSL-1 | BSL-1 | B | UN3373 | Name revision | |
Campylobacter | Class III | CSL-2 | ABSL-2 | BSL-2 | BSL-1 | B | UN3373 | Name revision | |
Lumpyskindiseaseviru | Class II | BSL-3 | ABSL-3 | BSL-1 | BSL-2 | A | UN 2900 | NEW |
How to submit comments:
Please send your suggestions, comments and feedback directly to xmjwjch@agri.gov.cn before February 12, 2024.
Further information
Read the original announcement on China catalogue animal pathogenic microorganisms.