Animal health

FAO Reference Centres

FAO Reference Centres for animal health are institutions designated by the Director-General to provide specific and technical advice and services to FAO Member Countries on issues related to FAO’s mandate. FAO invites institutions and universities to apply to become a reference centre in any of the 25 thematic areas that are critical for the Member Countries. Other areas will be identified as needs arise.

 5 Portarlington Road, East Geelong, Victoria 3219,  Australia
 Angela Burns
 [email protected]

IN PARTNERSHIP SINCE: 06/06/2024

COUNTRY: Australia

AREAS OF COLLABORATION: Laboratory biological risk management

 5 Portarlington Road | Private Bag 24, East Geelong, Victoria 3219,  Australia
 Angela Burns
 [email protected]

IN PARTNERSHIP SINCE: 06/06/2024

COUNTRY: Australia

AREAS OF COLLABORATION: Animal influenza and Newcastle disease

 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3M4, Canada
 Charles K Nfon
 [email protected]

IN PARTNERSHIP SINCE: 31/03/2024

COUNTRY: Canada

AREAS OF COLLABORATION: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and vesicular diseases

 1400 Merivale Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9, Canada
 Brad Pickering
 [email protected]

IN PARTNERSHIP SINCE: 02/04/2024

COUNTRY: Canada

AREAS OF COLLABORATION: Zoonosis and emerging pathogens

 136 Andrew Boss Laboratory, 1354 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
 Andres Perez
 [email protected]

IN PARTNERSHIP SINCE: 02/04/2024

COUNTRY: United States of America

AREAS OF COLLABORATION: Veterinary public health


Find out more

video
FAO Reference Centres: The fight against animal diseases

Animal diseases threaten both food security and human health worldwide. FAO’s global network of Reference Centres plays a crucial role in combating these diseases by providing technical expertise, supporting early detection, and enhancing disease control measures.

video
FAO Global Conference 2024 - Reference Centres, laboratories and support networks

Find out more about the importance of innovation and collaboration among stakeholders to improve animal health systems and support sustainable livestock production.

video
The importance of vaccines and vaccination programmes

Interviewees discuss and highlight the different challenges that a vaccine campaign can encounter, from production of quality vaccines, to supply chain, delivery and post vaccination monitoring.

Highlights
Recognition of good practices and innovations in sustainable livestock transformation, One Health, animal health and Reference Centres
27/05/2025

FAO leads international efforts to achieve food security and transform agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable...

Projects
Fighting the scourge of tsetse flies and trypanosomosis in Africa
28/08/2024

Tsetse flies and the diseases they transmit pose a significant threat to both human and animal health in sub-Saharan Africa. Here we explore their severe...

pexels-edward-jenner-4031416
Highlights
Strengthening animal health: The role of FAO Reference Centres
23/08/2024

FAO Reference Centres play a crucial role in strengthening the animal health system globally through advanced diagnostics, improving surveillance,...