MEDIA ADVISORY:Agriculture Secretary to Tour Animal Health Labs in Frederick and Congratulate Staff for Becoming Accredited for Meeting International Standards

Earlier this summer, the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory in Frederick became one of the few animal health labs in the nation to become accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). To qualify for accreditation, the lab had to demonstrate, through detailed documentation, that it adheres to strict internationally recognized standards and protocols when conducting the accredited tests.

Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting will visit and tour the lab, and congratulate the staffs for their efforts in achieving this internally recognized accreditation.

There are only eight total animal health labs in the nation that have been accredited by A2LA. MDA’s Frederick and Salisbury labs are also two of three A2LA-accredited labs that are associated with a state department of agriculture. For more information about the accreditation, see: http://www.mda.maryland.gov/article.php?i=40018

Who: Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting

What: Touring MDA Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratories and congratulating staff members for their efforts in helping the lab to become accredited, according to internal standards.

When: Friday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m.

Where: Frederick Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, 1840 Rosemont Ave., Frederick, MD 21702

RSVP: REPORTERS WHO WISH TO TOUR THE LAB with the Secretary and Deputy Secretary should RSVP to [email protected] or 410-841-5889 (office) or 443-370-9758 (cell).