The laboratory works to safeguard both animal and public health by providing laboratory support to various units within the Veterinary Regulation Directorate.  Its major role is the control of food safety in primary production of food of animal origin.  Samples reaching the laboratory form part of national surveillance plans, imports from border inspection posts, surveys or suspects.  The laboratory conducts testing activities to target different surveillance programmes:

• Animal Disease Surveillance such as Enzootic Bovine Leucosis, Foot and Mouth, Avian Influenza and Bluetongue
• Food Health Surveillance such as Trichinella and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE).
• Zoonotic Disease Surveillance such as Brucella and Salmonella
• Veterinary Drug Residue Surveillance such as antimicrobials, growth promoters and contaminants in foods of animal origin.
• Antibiotic Resistance

The laboratory also fulfills the role of National Reference Laboratory for various test areas.