THE Irish Equine Centre was named Agricultural Laboratory of the Year 2016 at the annual Irish Laboratory Awards dinner this week. It was the IEC’s first time entering the competition.

In reaching its verdict, the judging panel recognised the unique role performed by the IEC in protecting the health of the Irish horse population. The judges also acknowledged the vital work undertaken by the IEC, not just the performance of routine diagnostics and commercial laboratory testing, but in the management of disease outbreaks in the Irish horse population.

The award comes at the end of very successful 12 months for the IEC. In June 2015 it was designated an OIE Reference Laboratory for Equine Herpes Virus having gained the same accolade for equine influenza in 2009. The IEC remains the only OIE Reference Laboratory in Ireland.

The IEC began offering a nutritional analysis service earlier this year.

Chief executive Sarah McNicholas said: “The award is a significant recognition of the hard working and highly skilled team of professionals at the IEC - who work to ensure equine and animal health is continually maintained and improved. The veterinary and scientific expertise at the IEC is world-class and there for every owner, breeder, trainer and farmer to utilise and benefit from.”