Med-Vet-Net was a European Network of Excellence for Zoonoses research. The Network officially commenced on 1 September 2004 until 31 October 2009. It was funded for five years at a cost of €14.4 million (£10 million) by the European Union (EU) 6th Framework Programme, within the ‘Quality and Safety of Food’ Priority Area.
Zoonoses are diseases that are naturally transmitted from animals to man.
Med-Vet-Net aimed to develop a network of excellence for the integration of veterinary, medical and food scientists, in the field of food safety, at the European Level, in order to improve research on the prevention and control of zoonoses, including food-borne diseases. The Network also aimed to take into account the public health concerns of consumers and other stakeholders throughout the food chain.
Med-Vet-Net comprised 15 partners across Europe and over 300 scientists. The institutes involved consisted of eight veterinary, seven public health institutes and one learned society from 10 European countries. All partner institutes had national reference laboratory-based responsibilities for the prevention and control of zoonoses.
Med-Vet-Net Association
Following the end of EU funding the Med-Vet-Net Association was officially launched in October 2009 to continue work started within the former Network of Excellence. The self-funded Association, currently comprises 14 European research institutes.