National reference centres are operational facilities of the Italian National Health System characterised by high level expertise in specific sectors of animal health, food safety and livestock hygiene.

They are appointed by the Italian Ministry of Health and located at the Istituti Zooprofilattici Sperimentali, Italian health authorities and research organization in the fields of animal health, food safety and zoonoses. Each Reference Centre is specialised in a certain thematic area. For example, a specific animal or livestock disease, a specific veterinary sector, or a particular diagnostic or specialist activity.

Find out more about the Italian National Reference Centres in this video produced by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe).