Scientific research and monitoring

The veterinarians, biologists, chemists and microbiologists of the Institute are daily engaged in experimental research into the origin and development of the infectious and contagious diseases of animals, and in diagnosis of animal diseases, and those which can be transmitted to people (zoonoses).

Microbiological, chemical and radiometric research is conducted in the fields of foods of animal origin destined for human and animal consumption. A high level of surveillance is also maintained over the state of health of animal populations, hygiene in livestock production and products of animal origin.

Consultancy and technical assistance

The Institute offers a permanent consultancy and technical assistance service to livestock breeders and their trade associations, aimed at the eradication of infectious diseases and the development and improvement of livestock production, especially through animal welfare. There are experts from the Institute throughout the world to support, advise and further the technological and scientific development of local productive organizations.

Knowledge production

An increasingly important aspect of the Institute's activities is knowledge production, i.e. the training of personnel skilled in animal health, vets and other professional people, through technical and scientific cooperation projects with other Italian and international veterinary institutions.

Technological aids

Alongside its research, the Institute has developed a cutting-edge production sector under the heading of technology applied to science, which makes diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic aids available.

National Data Bank for Livestock Registration

Managing the National Data Bank for the Registration of cattle, sheep and goats, pigs and poultry is linked to the Institute's international role as an OIE Reference Laboratory for Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Brucellosis and Bluetongue, and to its role as an OIE Collaboration Centre for veterinary training, epidemiology, food safety and animal welfare

Quality

All the Institute's activities have been constantly certified and subjected to rigorous quality control since 1995, when the Institute became the first public veterinary body in Italy to be certified in accordance with international quality standards for performing laboratory tests in the chemical, microbiological, virological and serological fields.   The accreditation obtained from SINAL (the National System for Laboratory Accreditation) over three years ago, on the date required by the European Community, now also covers the Avezzano, Pescara,   Lanciano, Campobasso and Isernia centres, and the Termoli Regional Centre for Fishing and Aquaculture. In addition to these certifications, the Institute uses its own testing methods and procedures, which are nationally and internationally recognized, and takes part in inter-laboratory circuits for chemical, microbiological, serological, virological and molecular biology tests.