Director of the World Organization for Animal Health's regional office, Budimir Plavsic, visited «VGNKI»

On February 10, 2025, «The Russian State Center for Animal Feed and Drug Standardization and Quality» («VGNKI» of Rosselkhoznadzor) hosted a meeting between Evgeniy Antonov, the Center's Director, and Budimir Plavsic, the Director of the World Organization for Animal Health's regional office in Europe.

The meeting focused on the collaboration between «VGNKI» and the WOAH within the framework of educational and research activities in the areas of food safety, animal disease prevention, diagnostics, and treatment. Particular attention was given to the potential «VGNKI» has as the WOAH Collaborating Centre for applying World Organization for Animal Health standards. The collaboration proposed by the Center involves launching joint educational initiatives in diverse formats, discussions on harmonizing international standards, as well as seminars and conferences involving the WOAH member states.

During the visit, the Director of the World Organization for Animal Health's regional office explored laboratories of the Testing Center of «VGNKI», reviewing its operations and technical equipment. Budimir Plavsic visited product and veterinary drugs quality and safety control laboratories, as well as the Division of Clinical Microbiology, and the Division of Sample Processing and Research Results Recording.

Following the meeting, the parties reached an agreement to conduct a series of consultations to discuss the plan of activities for 2025, including the monitoring of antibiotic resistance, diagnostics of infectious animal diseases, including brucellosis and leptospirosis, in accordance with the international standards, including the guidelines for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals.