TRACES 2025: An International Platform for Knowledge Exchange on Residues of Pharmacologically Active Substances

On June 3–6, 2025, the International Symposium TRACES 2025 (International Symposium on Residues of Pharmacologically Active Substances in Food, Feed and Environment, within the One Health Concept) was held in Ghent, Belgium, at the NH Ghent Belfort hotel. The event brought together two renowned scientific conferences — The International Symposium on Hormone and Veterinary Drug Residue Analysis (VDRA) and EuroResidue — launching a new phase of interdisciplinary collaboration under the One Health concept.

The TRACES symposium builds on a long-standing tradition. Since 1990, the EuroResidue conferences have addressed a wide range of issues related to residue monitoring in food, feed, and other matrices, while VDRA, organized by the Faculties of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University (UGent) together with the Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research (ILVO), has focused on hormone and veterinary drug residue analysis since 1988.

Ukrainian researchers have consistently contributed to this expert forum:

  • Dr. Dmytro Yanovych,
  • PhD in Biology Zvenyslava Zasadna,
  • PhD in Biology Svitlana Melikyan,
  • PhD in Chemistry Maryana Rydchuk

 researchers of the National Reference Laboratory for Residue Control of Veterinary Drugs and Feed Additives at the State Scientific Research Control Institute of Veterinary Medicinal Products and Feed Additives (SCIVP) — presented their scientific findings, continuing the institute’s tradition of active participation in this international academic community.

The conference abstract book can be downloaded at the following link.

The integrated TRACES congress facilitated deeper interdisciplinary dialogue, knowledge exchange, and strengthened professional collaboration in the field of residue analysis of pharmacologically active substances throughout the food chain.

Animal Health Day 2025: A Professional Dialogue on the Future of Veterinary Medicine

On June 12, 2025, representatives of the State Scientific-Research Control Institute of Veterinary Medicinal Products and Feed Additives took part in Animal Health Day, organized by the European Business Association, with the participation of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, industry associations, veterinary medicinal product manufacturers, distributors, and professional veterinary stakeholders.

Among the participants were the Institute’s Director Professor Volodymyr Stybel, Deputy Director Yurii Kosenko — one of the key speakers in the panel discussion “Registration and Production of Veterinary Medicinal Products: Current Challenges for the Industry” — Deputy Director for Scientific Work Iryna Mazur and Head of the Department Viktor Muzyka.

Key topics included the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with European law in the veterinary sector, particularly the implementation of EU Regulation 2019/6 and the new edition of the Law of Ukraine “On Veterinary Medicine” No. 1206-IX, which will come into force on March 1, 2026.

Special attention was given to Draft Law No. 12285-d, which proposes amendments to a number of Ukrainian laws. The expected outcome is a transparent and effective legal framework that will foster market development, animal health protection, and product safety.

At the same time, the professional community raised a number of important questions related to the practical aspects of implementing these norms, particularly in regard to the redistribution of powers in the field of veterinary medicinal product registration. Participants emphasized the need for a balanced transition to new regulatory approaches, which would not only fulfill EU integration commitments but also preserve institutional expertise essential for quality control and professional accountability.

We sincerely thank the organizers for creating an open platform for dialogue and constructive exchange. We are convinced that such events contribute to developing solutions that align with both European standards and the real needs of Ukraine’s veterinary system.

Representatives of the State Scientific-Research Control Institute of Veterinary Medicinal Products and Feed Additives Participate in the 92nd General Session of WOAH in Paris

On May 26–30, 2025, the 92nd General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is taking place in Paris. This is a key annual event in the field of veterinary medicine and global cooperation on animal health and biosecurity.

The Ukrainian delegation is headed by the Chairman of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Serhii Tkachuk, and his Deputy, Volodymyr Kursturov. Among the delegates are Volodymyr Stybel, Director of the State Scientific-Research Control Institute of Veterinary Medicinal Products and Feed Additives, and Yurii Kosenko, Deputy Director for International Relations.

The WOAH General Session brings together official delegates from member countries, representatives of international organizations, veterinary professionals, and scientists to discuss current challenges in animal health, infectious disease control, food safety, and scientific approaches to monitoring and prevention of zoonotic diseases.

As part of the event, the Ukrainian delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of the competent authorities of Canada, the Sultanate of Oman, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Moldiva, Turkey, Romania. The discussions focused on expanding exports of Ukrainian products, harmonizing veterinary certificates, improving control procedures, and enhancing cooperation within the framework of European integration. A separate meeting was also held with the Deputy Head of the WOAH Scientific Department to discuss the development and application of various vaccines, including those targeting African swine fever (ASF).

The participation of the Institute’s representatives in such a high-level event contributes to international cooperation in veterinary science and practice, fosters the development of professional and scientific connections, promotes awareness of modern approaches to biosecurity, and supports the integration of Ukrainian scientific institutions into the global professional community.