Deputy Director of FGBU «VGNKI», Alexey Tretyakov, visited the Azerbaijan Food Safety Institute

From February 10 to 12, 2025, Alexey Tretyakov, the Deputy Director of «The Russian State Center for Animal Feed and Drug Standardization and Quality» («VGNKI» of Rosselkhoznadzor), visited the Azerbaijan Food Safety Institute. During the meeting, particular focus was placed on the laboratory monitoring of products of animal origin, enhancing its methods for identifying prohibited substances, and improving the quality and safety of veterinary drugs.

In discussions with Ali Nagiyev, the Institute’s Board Chairman, Alexey Tretyakov explained the Centers's role in the veterinary and food safety supervision. Particular attention was given to the scientific developments aimed at enhancing diagnostics' precision and laboratory research efficiency.

One of the main topics of the discussion was the training of specialists. The Azerbaijanian side expressed interest in exchange of experience on the personnel training, especially in setting up advanced courses on molecular diagnostics of specific infection diseases and sequencing. VGNKI, for its part, will develop training programs based on counterparts' needs, including PCR diagnostics methods, toxicological research, and serology.

The meeting also focused on the Institute's laboratories joining the Center's interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs). The Azerbaijanian side plans to join these programs to enhance research reproducibility and strengthen quality control over veterinary drugs, feeds, and feed additives. The meeting also addressed the harmonization of analysis methods, including the assessment of biological activity and identification of active components.

Following the visit, the parties confirmed their mutual desire for further development of cooperation, scaling up joint projects, and boosting professional collaboration in veterinary science, laboratory monitoring, and food safety.