PUBLIC INSTITUTION VETERINARY INSTITUTE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA "DR VASO BUTOZAN"
Сарадња на нивоу Републике Српске и Босне и Херцеговине
Tоком нашег вишедеценијског рада, можемо с поносом истаћи успјешну сарадњу са бројним институцијама у Републици Српској, Босни и Херцеговини.
Сарадња на нивоу Републике Српске и Босне и Херцеговине
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Water Management and Inspectorate of the Republika Srpska
Public Veterinary Institute of Republika Srpska ‘Dr Vaso Butozan’ (PVI RS) The Institute collaborates significantly with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy of Republika Srpska (MAFWE RS), under whose authority it carries out its core activities, as well as with the Inspectorate of Republika Srpska, primarily the veterinary inspection. This cooperation is reflected in activities for the protection of animal health and food safety control, active participation in the development of monitoring plans and programmes, as well as the monitoring, diagnosis and control of infectious and parasitic animal diseases, including zoonoses, the development and implementation of epidemiological studies, epizootiological surveillance, food safety control including microbiological, physical - chemical, sensory and analyses for the presence of residues of veterinary drugs and contaminants, proposing and drafting legislation, providing opinions and interpretations, organising educational events, etc.
Also, VIRSVB's significant participation in the commissions for the recognition of new breeds, strains and hybrids in the Republika Srpska (Gatačko cattle 2022, Boriki Arabian horse 2022) is noteworthy.
Ministry of Science and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republika Srpska
The cooperation between VIRSVB and the Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republika Srpska is realised through the implementation of scientific research projects and the election of VIRSVB staff to academic ranks.
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republika Srpska
The cooperation between VIRSVB and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republika Srpska is realised through the exchange of knowledge and experience, and through activities related to the “One Health” concept. Significant cooperation also takes place through participation in the Commission for the Control of Zoonoses of the Republika Srpska.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, VIRSVB made a significant contribution to strengthening public health capacity for COVID-19 diagnostics by training staff and establishing molecular diagnostic laboratories in hospitals in Bijeljina and Foča.
Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Republic of Srpska (Banja Luka)
The cooperation between VIRSVB and the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Republika Srpska is realised through the participation of VIRSVB's scientific staff in the preparation of the Encyclopaedia of Republika Srpska.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka (Banja Luka)
The cooperation between the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Banja Luka and VIRSVB includes the exchange of knowledge, experience, professional and scientific literature, and the use of reagents and reference materials. Also, of significant importance is the joint participation in scientific research and projects, including the conduct of experiments for the purposes of undergraduate, master's and doctoral studies. The academic staff of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, participate in the work of the VIRSVB Scientific Council through their membership, and by supervising the completion of two master's theses by VIRSVB staff. As part of the joint collaboration, various analyses and the experimental components of scientific projects, master's theses and doctoral dissertations are carried out in the VIRSVB laboratories. Cooperation is also realised through the publication of scientific papers in national and leading international scientific journals.
У току је сарадња на нивоу националног научно-истраживачког пројекта, финансираног од стране Министарства за научнотехнолошки развој и високо образовање Републике Српске („Јавно здравствени ризик учесталости и антимикробне резистенције патогених бактерија у води за пиће поријеклом са фарме живине“).
Since 2019, experts from VIRSVB have been members of the Ethics Committee for the Protection and Welfare of Experimental Animals in Biomedical Research at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka (Banja Luka)
The cooperation includes the exchange of knowledge and experience, and joint participation in scientific research, including conducting experiments for the purposes of doctoral studies, and joint participation in scientific projects, publication of scientific papers, postgraduate studies of VIRSVB staff, and the participation of VIRSVB staff in postgraduate thesis defence committees.
Технолошки факултет, Универзитет у Бањој Луци (Бања Лука)
The cooperation includes the exchange of knowledge, experience, professional and scientific literature, as well as the use of reagents and reference materials. Also, of significant importance is the joint participation in scientific research, including the conduct of experiments for the purposes of bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies. VIRSVB has actively participated in various projects with the Faculty of Technology, including the ‘Protection of the Banja Luka Cevapi’ project, a traditional speciality, for which a significant joint contribution was made to the development of its specification. For future cooperation, we anticipate expanding on our previous objectives in the field of scientific research, with a focus on food safety control and the organisation of seminars and training courses that will contribute to the development and enhancement of knowledge.
Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka (Banja Luka)
The collaboration is reflected in the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as in joint work on improving teaching methods and the chemistry degree programme at the faculty, and a willingness to cooperate in conducting analyses for the purposes of bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies. Collaboration was also achieved through participation in a conference on improving the quality of chemistry teaching in secondary schools, with the participation of teachers, industry representatives and the Faculty of Science and Mathematics. The conference was held in March 2024, as part of the implementation of the Erasmus+ project ‘Improving the Quality of Chemistry Teaching in Vocational Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina – ChemTeach’.
Faculty of Technology, University of East Sarajevo (Zvornik)
The collaboration includes the exchange of knowledge and experience, training in the application of testing methods, and joint participation in scientific research, including the conduct of experiments for doctoral studies.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo (Sarajevo)
Cooperation with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Sarajevo (FVM) dates back to 1960, when VIRSVB became part of the FVM's Scientific Research and Diagnostic Institute, and from 1975, it was part of the Veterinary University Centre with the VFS and the Veterinary-
сточарским центрима у Мостару и Тузли. Ова сарадња је настављена размјеном знања међу истраживачима, учешћем у међународним пројектима, публиковањем научних радова, докторским студијама особља ВИРСВБ, међулабораторијским испитивањима, одуговарачким услугама ВФС, те, као конзорцијум, заједничким учешћем у мониторинзима на заразне болести Канцеларије за ветеринарство БиХ и др. Стална комуникација и сарадња постоје у дијелу дијагностике заразних болести животиња, те размјени дијагностичког и референтног материјала.
Agricultural Institute of the Republika Srpska (Banja Luka)
The Public Institution Agricultural Institute of Republika Srpska is a scientific and research institution with which VIRSVB has had a long-standing and successful collaboration in various segments of scientific and professional work. Good working relations and fruitful cooperation have been developed from the establishment of the Agricultural Institute in 1947, right up to the present day. Through their joint scientific and professional work, both institutes are working to improve livestock production as a driver for the development of the entire agricultural sector, as defined by the signed agreement on business and technical cooperation. The areas of joint work are reflected in numerous scientific fields of agriculture and veterinary medicine. One of the important segments is the protection of animal and human health from insect-borne pathogens, as animal health is a prerequisite for the quality rearing of animals and achieving good production results in the production of animal-based food. In increasing livestock production capacity, an important measure is having a sufficient number of quality breeding stock, so both institutes have worked together to provide quarantine facilities for animals of various species and breeds. Also, an important part of the cooperation is in the area of producing and preparing quality feed for the nutrition of domestic animals, through the application of modern technologies, which is one of the most important segments of quality livestock breeding and the prevention of many non-parasitic diseases in domestic animals, thereby also contributing to the better utilisation of the natural resources of the Republika Srpska and the overall increase in value
domestic agricultural production.
Particularly significant is the cooperation on scientific research projects, which aim to improve agriculture and the overall economy in the Republika Srpska. Institutional cooperation in the field of science is also reflected in the collaboration and exchange of opinions between the scientific councils of both institutes, where joint scientific engagement contributes to the development of the scientific and professional thought of the community, the advancement of education and the acquisition of scientific qualifications, and includes the joint publication of scientific papers, as well as other scientific research activities. Furthermore, the joint creation of positions and proposals for the Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska contributes to creating more favourable conditions for the work of scientific institutions and researchers in Republika Srpska. The cooperation is also reflected in the field of accreditation systems, BAS EN ISO/ IEC 17025, through the exchange of experience in the field of improving laboratory management systems. As a subcontractor, the Public Institution Agricultural Institute of Republika Srpska performs analyses for the presence of pesticides, GMOs and mycotoxins for VIRSVB, while VIRSVB carries out microbiological food analyses in the kitchen of the Public Institution Agricultural Institute of Republika Srpska.
Public Health Institution, Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Srpska (Banja Luka)
Cooperation between VIRSVB and the Public Health Institution, Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Srpska (JZU IJZRSC) dates back to the very inception of the VIRSVB, as in 1934 the Department of Veterinary Epidemiology was established at the Hygiene Institute of Banja Luka, which evolved into the VIRSVB, and subsequently the JZU IJZRSC. This cooperation has been continuous, at varying levels of intensity, throughout the years and continues to this day. The focus of this cooperation has been on zoonoses, which are the primary link between the two institutions. The Protocol on Cooperation regarding Mutual Notification of Data in the Field of Zoonosis Control between VIRSVB and JZU IJZRS defines the rights and obligations concerning the exchange of data relating to diseases, conditions, epidemics and fatalities resulting from the occurrence of zoonoses, or anthroponoses, and their causative agents, as well as monitoring diseases and their causative agents, monitoring the antibiotic resistance of zoonotic pathogens, and conducting epidemiological and epizootiological investigations into the modes and causes of occurrence of zoonoses transmitted through contact with an infected person, animal or food. Other forms of cooperation include the exchange of knowledge, experience, diagnostic and reference materials, and activities related to the “One Health” concept are particularly significant, as is participation in the Commission for the Control of Zoonoses of Republika Srpska.
Public Health Institution University Clinical Centre of Republika Srpska (Banja Luka)
The cooperation between VIRSVB and the Public Health Institution University Clinical Centre of Republika Srpska is realised through the exchange of knowledge, experience and diagnostic material, the publication of scientific papers, and activities related to the “One Health” concept.
Institute for Genetic Resources, University of Banja Luka (Banja Luka)
VIRSV has an established collaboration with the Institute for Genetic Resources of the Republika Srpska in the field of monitoring breeding and selection work in apiculture, with the aim of developing a protocol for sampling queen bees from bee colonies as part of the selection process. The results of the collaboration are reflected in the preparation of diagnostic capabilities for the entomological laboratory for pollinators at the IGR.
Office of Veterinary Medicine of BiH (Sarajevo)
The Office of Veterinary Affairs of BiH and VIRSVB have an established long-standing cooperation, which is primarily reflected in laboratory analyses carried out by VIRSVB for the needs of the Office of Veterinary Affairs of BiH (residues of veterinary drugs and contaminants, microbiological analyses of food and feed), as well as in the preparation of BiH's capacity for exporting poultry and fish meat, eggs and milk to the EU. A particularly significant collaboration is in the field of monitoring residues of veterinary medicines and contaminants. the Decision on the monitoring of residues of certain substances in live animals and in animal products, which establishes the rules for conducting residue monitoring and prescribes the adoption and implementation of an annual Residue Monitoring Plan for BiH, was adopted in 2004.
The implementation of the Residue Monitoring and Control Plan began in 2006, and it was then that VIRSVB, along with other laboratories designated by the Decision on the Determination of Reference Laboratories in BiH (Official Gazette of BiH 68/05, 90/05), carried out certain analyses of official samples as part of the Residue Monitoring and Control Plan. To ensure the export of products from BiH to the European Union market, the European Union's requirement was that the analysis of official samples within the national Residue Control Plan be carried out in accredited laboratories and using accredited methods in accordance with the standard EN ISO/ IEC 17025. Since 2013, VIRSVB has participated in the development and implementation of the Residue Monitoring Plan for BiH in terms of residue analysis, and thus constitutes an important link with a significant number of accredited methods for various types of matrices and groups of residues. Using screening microbiological (Premi test and 6-plate test), biochemical (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)) and instrumental methods (Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)) At VIRSVB, approximately 5,730 analyses of antibiotic residues were performed in food samples of animal origin (eggs, milk and muscle from all animal species used for human consumption) and in animal urine.
A total of 1,307 samples of milk, eggs and muscle from various animal species were analysed. Urine samples (a total of 73) were analysed for the presence of chloramphenicol, a substance not permitted in food. With regard to monitoring for toxic chemicals, VIRSVB, as part of this plan, participates in the analysis of aflatoxin M1, and to date, 171 analyses for the presence of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk samples have been carried out using a screening method (ELISA), with the instrumental chromatographic method (UPLC-MS/MS) used for confirmation.
Food Safety Agency of BiH (Mostar)
Cooperation with the Agency for Food Safety of BiH (ABH BiH) is reflected in various aspects of food safety, primarily through participation in projects (domestic and international) at the invitation of ABH BiH, various forms of education, exchange of opinions and discussions, including the interpretation of legislation.
Within the framework of the IPA Twinning project: ‘EU support to capacity building and gradual Union acquis alignment in the Food safety sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina’ (Twinning grant contract: No 2020/416- 233; Twinning reference: BA 18 IPA AG 01 19), The Food Safety Agency of BiH, as the project implementing body, organised a workshop in Mostar in 2022 on the topic of “Official Control Requirements and Prevention of Honey Fraud”, which was attended by staff of the VIRSVB. By participating in the Twinning project ‘EU Support for Capacity Building and Gradual Alignment with the Union's Legal Framework in the Food Safety Sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina’, within the framework of a study visit to the Instituto Zooprofilatiko Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G. Caporale’ in Teramo (Italy), on the topic of assessing short-term and long-term exposure to various contaminants (pesticides in food, heavy metals, microbiological agents, toxins, etc.), the use of different risk assessment models (risk assessment, risk management and risk communication) and EFSA information tools, as well as the development of practical examples, staff of VIRSVB had the opportunity to exchange experiences on the work of official and reference laboratories in the field of food safety.
During 2022-2023, VIRSVB had intensive cooperation with ABH BiH on the issue of microbiological criteria for food, when, through joint work, with the participation of other domestic institutions and establishments, as well as EU experts, Guidelines for the interpretation and implementation of the Regulation on microbiological criteria for food were developed.
Institute for Food Health and Safety (Zenica)
Cooperation has been established in the field of breeding and selection work, as a significant tool for improving the productivity of apiaries. The significance of the cooperation lies in the panel discussion and introductory deliberations, which serve as an exchange of new experiences and knowledge on the need to establish harmonised processes within the veterinary medicine service in the territory of BiH. The results of the cooperation are reflected in the exchange of knowledge and the linking of stakeholders in the field of bee health protection and breeding and selection needs. The cooperation is also reflected in the training of laboratory staff in the application of testing methods.
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Banja Luka
Address: Branka Radicevica 18
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Bijeljina
Address: Industrial Zone 2
