The Fórum Ítalo-Brasileiro de Cooperativismo, Agroindústria e Inclusão Sanitária, held in Recife, in the state of Pernambuco, from 16 to 18 June 2025 , concluded with the signing of an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, signed between the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe) and the Brazilian Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Farming (MDA), lays the groundwork for a strong collaboration aimed at strengthening food safety, public health, and support for small rural producers.

The IZSVe was invited to the forum as a key player in the field of health inclusion, to illustrate its strategic role in public health and hygiene and food safety controls. Representing the Institute in Brazil was Dr. Andrea Cereser, who led roundtable discussions, thematic sessions, and took part in field visits to local producers. During the three-day event, the Veneto model of Piccole Produzioni Locali (PPL – Small Local Productions) was presented. The initiative generated great interest for its ability to combine sustainability, safety, and the enhancement of territorial identity.

Participation in the forum and the signing of the agreement represent the culmination of months of work led by the IZSVe’s Office for Research and International Cooperation in close collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry. This preparatory phase allowed for an in-depth analysis of the local context and an understanding of Brazil’s needs, with a specific focus on small family producers and the health and veterinary services supporting them.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by IZSVe Director General Dr. Antonia Ricci and acting MDA Minister Fernanda Machiavelli, formalizes a three-year joint commitment. The agreement will initiate an intensive exchange of knowledge and best practices, promoting more sustainable animal production methods that ensure both product safety and public health. The objective is to facilitate a transfer of expertise, with particular attention to the dairy and poultry sectors, to concretely support the development of small and medium-sized rural production businesses in Brazil.

This agreement builds an important bridge of knowledge between Italy and Brazil. The experience of IZSVe will be shared to contribute to a rural development that is equitable, sustainable, and safe, bringing tangible benefits to communities and strengthening the bond between the two countries in the name of global health and the enhancement of agri-food supply chains.

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