DGAV

The Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (DGAV) is Portugal’s public authority for matters relating to food, veterinary services, animal health and welfare, and plant health. Its work supports the protection of public health, animals, plants and the food supply through information, oversight and official control programmes.

DGAV provides guidance and services across a wide range of areas, including food safety and labelling, animal feed, livestock and companion animals, veterinary medicines, and plant protection products. It also covers phytosanitary registration, seeds and plants, imports and exports of animals and plant products, animal by-products, and materials that come into contact with food. The organisation publishes technical guidance, statistics, alerts, news, newsletters and information for travellers, and offers online forms, training, official-control information and access to fees and procedures.

Its website serves food-sector operators, farmers, animal owners, businesses and the general public. DGAV also coordinates programmes and projects, communicates disease-prevention recommendations, and provides contact channels for questions about its responsibilities and services.