The UAB has been designated a national center of excellence in animal welfare, alongside the IRTA and Expasa
The UAB has been designated a national center of excellence in animal welfare in partnership with the Institute for Agri-Food Research and Technology (IRTA) and Expasa Agricultura y Ganadería. The designation, approved by the Government via a royal decree, will be valid for four years and reinforces the scientific and institutional leadership of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in this strategic field.
This February, the Council of Ministers, at the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, approved a royal decree that strengthens the tools for moving toward more effective coordination among the agencies involved in enforcing animal welfare regulations for animals used in agriculture and aquaculture. At the same time, the regulation promotes the improvement of management and the dissemination of technical knowledge in coordination with European Union reference centers.
In this context, the designation of the consortium led by IRTA, UAB, and Expasa as a national reference center positions the three institutions as key players in the generation, transfer, and dissemination of technical knowledge, and aligns the work carried out in Catalonia with the objectives set for European Union reference centers.
The designation as a national reference center means that the consortium will act as a specialized scientific and technical body supporting the implementation of national and European regulations on animal welfare, advising government agencies, generating rigorous knowledge, and coordinating with European Union reference centers.
For the UAB, this recognition represents a significant boost that reinforces the Faculty of Veterinary's commitment to research, innovation, and inter-institutional collaboration. It also consolidates the role of faculty members and research groups specializing in animal welfare as national and international leaders in this field, with a clear impact on the agri-food sector and on public policies related to animal welfare and protection.