The report of the meeting of the OIE Biological Standards Commission (BSC) that took place on 8-10 February 2012 in Paris, France is now available on the web. The BSC is one of the four Specialist Commissions of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and is concerned with developing internationally agreed standards for laboratory diagnostic tests and vaccines for OIE-listed animal diseases of mammals, birds and bees. Agenda item 4 discussed the review and validation of diagnostic tests, including those based on molecular/biochemical techniques. Under agenda item 5, chapters proposed for adoption in the "Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals" were reviewed, including one on "Biotechnology in the diagnosis of infectious diseases". The BSC also discussed the formation of an ad hoc group to draft an OIE White Paper on new diagnostic technologies, such as direct diagnosis on samples by whole genomic sequencing. See http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Internationa_Standard_Setting/docs/pdf/BSC/A_BSC_Feb2012.pdf (245 KB) or contact [email protected] for more information.