About the Norwegian Veterinary Institute
The most important function of the Veterinary Institute is contingency planning and competence development aimed at preventing threats to the health of fish, animals and human beings. Today the core activities comprise diagnostics, research, innovation, monitoring, risk assessment, consulting and communication. Furthermore, the Veterinary Institute is a national and an international reference laboratory, and is involved in a wide range of international collaborative activities.
The Veterinary Institute is among the most important participants in the development of the Norwegian bioeconomy in aqueous and land environments. In 2020, the Institute’s headquarters will move to Ås, while the regional activities are likely to expand.
The history
The Norwegian Veterinary Institute was established in Oslo in 1891 as a diagnostic laboratory for animal diseases as the first of its kind in Scandinavia. During the 1990s, the Institute expanded to include regional units in Bergen, Harstad, Sandnes, Trondheim and Tromsø. In 2021 the Institute will move to Ås, 30 km south of Oslo (new address from 18 May 2021).
The original principal task of the Veterinary Institute was to combat tuberculosis and brucellosis. The Institute was subsequently allocated important responsibilities in the prevention of outbreaks of other diseases, as well as the production of sera and vaccines. Today, its activities encompass the entire chain from plants, via animal feed, fish, animals and food for human consumption.
Ownership and finances
The Veterinary Institute is a public-sector institution, under the ownership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Norwegian Government. The Institute also carries out tasks for the Ministry of Industry and Fisheries.
The Veterinary Institute obtains its basic financial support from the two above-mentioned ministries and the Research Council of Norway. The sources account for around 40 per cent of the Institute’s total revenues, while the remainder comes from research projects and contracts. The budget for 2021 shows an estimated total income of 421 million NOK.
The Board
The Board is appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The members are: Hanne Maren Blåfjelldal (Chair), Trond Slettbakk, Torhild Gjølme, Hildebjørg Åsvang and Tord Lien. Camilla Skjæret and Jørn Våge represents the employees.
Substitute members are Gunnar Skov Simonsen and Bente Torstensen, and Hannah Joan Jørgensen and Ketil Skår for the employees.
