Designation of European Union reference centres for animal welfare

1.   The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, designate European Union reference centres for animal welfare that shall support the activities of the Commission and of the Member States in relation to the application of the rules referred to in point (f) of Article 1(2).
2.   The designations provided for in paragraph 1 shall:
(a)
follow a public selection process; and
(b)
be limited in time or reviewed regularly.
3.   European Union reference centres for animal welfare shall:
(a)
act impartially as regards the exercise of their tasks as European Union reference centres;
(b)
possess a high level of scientific and technical expertise in human-animal relationship, animal behaviour, animal physiology, animal genetics, animal health and nutrition related to animal welfare, and animal welfare aspects related to the commercial and scientific use of animals;
(c)
have suitably qualified staff with adequate training in the areas referred to in point (b) and in ethical issues related to animals and support staff as appropriate;
(d)
possess, or have access to, the infrastructure, the equipment and products necessary to carry out the tasks assigned to them; and
(e)
ensure that their staff have good knowledge of international standards and practices in the areas referred to in point (b) and that the latest developments in research at national, Union and international level, including studies performed and actions undertaken by other European Union reference centres for animal welfare, in those areas are taken into account in their work.