University-Public Sector Collaboration in Combating Epidemic Animal Diseases: Panel on Epidemic Animal Diseases and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Held

An important event aimed at strengthening science-based collaborations in the field of agriculture and livestock farming was held in Balıkesir. The Balıkesir Governor's Office, Balıkesir University, and the Balıkesir Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry signed a protocol aimed at developing Balıkesir's potential in the field of agriculture and livestock farming on a scientific basis. The panel discussion on ‘Combating Epidemic Animal Diseases and Foot-and-Mouth Disease,’ the first event organised under the ‘Agriculture and Livestock Sector Strategic Transformation Programme Cooperation Protocol,’ was held with high attendance.

The opening speeches of the panel, held at the Şehit Ramazan Konuş Meeting Hall of the Balıkesir Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, were delivered by Dr Hüseyin DÜZGÜN, Director of the Balıkesir Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Prof. Dr Fatih SATIL, Vice-Rector of Balıkesir University, and Yusuf İzzet KARAMAN, Deputy Governor of Balıkesir. In their opening remarks, the speakers highlighted Balıkesir's strong agricultural and livestock infrastructure and emphasised that the fight against epidemic animal diseases would be more effective through scientific and institutional cooperation.

Within the scope of the panel, moderated by Sezai CİBELİK, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, our Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Ziya İLHAN, Director of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Institute Ertan AĞTÜRK, our Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Zeynep KARAPINAR, Balıkesir Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry Branch Manager Osman BÜYÜKÖNÜL, President of the Balıkesir Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons Özgür FINDIKLI, Director of our University's Institute of Health Sciences and Director of the Animal Husbandry Application and Research Centre Prof. Dr. Şükrü Metin PANCARCI gave presentations.

The panel, attended by expert academics and representatives of institutions and professions, addressed the epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease, vaccination efforts, challenges encountered in the field, and proposed solutions.

The programme concluded with a question-and-answer session followed by closing remarks.