The Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie is an Italian public health authority that operates in the fields of animal health and food safety. The Institute employs veterinarians, biologists, chemists, biotechnologists, technicians and administration staff. Its activities are: diagnostic services on animals; analytical controls on food; monitoring plans and disease control; scientific research; training for veterinarians and the food industry staff; scientific communication; promotion of animal welfare. The Institute is responsible for the North East (of) Italy, and it is part of a network of 10 similar institutes distributed throughout Italy. It is a technical-scientific reference centre for the Italian Ministry of Health; local governments; local health authorities; veterinary professionals; the livestock sector; food companies; the general public. It also collaborates with international organizations such as the European Commission; the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA); the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE); the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).