The National Reference Laboratory for Bee Diseases is located in the Department of Apiology and Bee Protection of AGES. The tasks of the reference laboratory include testing for notifiable and non-notifiable diseases and pests of honey bees. Further tasks include participation in national and international research projects as well as consulting and training activities in the field of bee health and bee science. In the course of its activities, the National Reference Laboratory for Bee Diseases maintains a good exchange with European institutions in the field of bee health. Especially the cooperation with the EU Reference Laboratory for Bee Health and the European Network of National Reference Laboratories promotes the exchange of information and supports both the new establishment and the further development of methods in the field of bee health.

• Official examinations for notifiable bee diseases and pests
• Private examinations for bee diseases and pests

The obligation to notify according to EU Animal Health Law VO (EU) 2016/429 (AHL = Animal Health Law) applies to:

• Infestation with Varroa spp. (varroosis)
• Infestation with Aethina tumida (small hive beetle)
• American foulbrood
• Infestation with Tropilaelaps spp.

The notification must be made immediately to the competent district administrative authority (= district administration or magistrate) depending on the location of the affected apiary. The official veterinarians subsequently order the inspection and sampling by the bee experts or carry this out themselves, enter the data into the Veterinary Information System (VIS) and forward the samples to the Department of Apiculture and Bee Protection as the competent inspection body.

For details on sampling, sample size, packaging and shipping of official samples, please refer to the leaflet "Submission of official samples" available in the download area.

In the case of private orders, enclose a written test order with the samples (form: "Private test order") and send the samples to:

AGES Institute for Seeds and Seedlings, Plant Protection Service and Bees Department of Apiculture and Bee Protection Spargelfeldstraße 191 1220 Vienna, Austria

Please click here for detailed directions.

Alternatively, samples can be dropped off in person on weekdays during the following hours: Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or by appointment at +43 50 555-33127. For details on sample types, sample size, packaging and shipping, please refer to the leaflet "Submission of private samples" available in the download area. Furthermore, you will find our price list for tests for bee diseases and pests as well as honey pollen analyses.