Today an international cooperation agreement has been signed between the IZSVe and the Italian-Latin American Institute (ILLA), an international organisation with representatives of 20 Latin American countries. The signature of this agreement marks the start of a strategic, visionary collaboration aimed at addressing crucial issues such as food safety, the sustainability of local economies, and the promotion of small manufacturers. The Galileo Visionary District and Sherpa Srl of the University of Padova are also parties to the agreement.

“In the face of global changes that threaten the health of agrifood and livestock systems in many parts of the world, food safety and animal health today hinge above all on collaboration and knowledge sharing,” states the General Director, Antonia Ricci

“The aim of our Institute is to strengthen international cooperation with Latin American countries through joint training and technical assistance measures linked to best practices in food manufacturing processes and in the development of small-medium local and rural manufacturers. The focus will be on animal health and wellbeing and the safety of animal and plant products. I am in no doubt that this collaboration will give rise to solid, valuable projects and we are willing to make our know-how and experience fully available to achieve these common goals together. This agreement is a great step towards fairer, more sustainable development for all”.

IZSVe e IILA – Istituto Italo-Latino Americano, insieme per la cooperazione internazionaleThe IZSVe will bring to the agreement the experience gained with the Small Local Manufacturers (SLM) project, set up over 15 years ago by the Veneto Region of Italy, in collaboration with Local Health Authorities. It involves local manufacturers and breeders and aims to ensure the quality and safety, while guaranteeing the sustainability, of agrifood production.

Besides being an essential economic resource, SLMs are also essential to a community’s cultural identity. The IZSVe aims to share skills developed over the years with Latin America, an area where IILA plays a central role in fostering dialogue and international cooperation.  In many Latin American settings, small local manufacturers are a vital source of socio-economic development but face similar challenges to the ones experienced in Italy: improving product quality, guaranteeing food safety, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Collaboration will be based on joint projects, training activities and technical assistance, in support of local manufacturing firms, to ensure that they grow safely and sustainably, offering breeders, artisanal manufacturers and rural communities new opportunities for economic development. This approach will contribute not only to local wellbeing but will also serve to protect biodiversity and agricultural traditions.

Specifically, food safety assumes a key role in this cooperation agreement. Since the quality of agrifood chains is pivotal to public health, the IZSVe is committed to sharing technologies and knowledge developed in Italy to improve manufacturing practices and guarantee higher and higher standards of quality, to the benefit of both manufacturers and consumers.