Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária

The National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research I. P. (INIAV) is the State Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, that develops research activities in the agricultural and veterinary fields. It has the task of carrying out scientific and policy research to support public policies, while defending the national interests and the deepening of Europe’s common policies. Additionally, INIAV provides laboratory services and scientific and technical support to both farmers and industry. Its National Reference Laboratories perform official analysis in the fields of Animal Health, Plant Health, Food and Feed Safety. Moreover, the preservation and management of the plant and animal germplasm’s databases as well as of the national collections of reference are also included in INIAV’s responsibilities.

INIAV’s core competences may be summarized as follows:

- To develop the scientific and technological basis that supports the definition of the public sector policies;

- To promote the activities of research, experimentation and demonstration, according to the public policies’ guidelines designed for each sector, in order to ensure the technical and scientific support that leads to the development, innovation and improved competitiveness in areas such as the forestry, crop’s protection, food production, animal health and food safety, as well as in the area of food technology and biotechnology with application in those areas;

- To ensure its National Reference Laboratory role, broadening the spectrum of laboratory testing particularly in the areas of food safety, animal health and plant protection and health;

- To cooperate with related scientific and technological institutions, and participate in national and international science and technology activities.

INIAV’s performance in areas such as Food Safety, Plant Health, Animal Health and Genetic Resources (preservation and conservation) can bring a both unique and fundamental contribution to the country’s development. (www.iniav.pt)