Commerce Hosts Czech Republic and Animal Health Experts for Virtual Roundtable

The International Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago, hosted an online Animal Health Roundtable last week focusing on best practices in biosecurity and food security.

The overarching goal for the roundtable was to strengthen existing and new relationships between Kansas and Czechia — to open the door to collaborate, create partnerships, and discuss investments and trade opportunities.

“The roundtable connected researchers, corporations and entrepreneurs from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean that are actively engaged in commercialization efforts,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Not only are we working on common pursuits that improve and expand value chains for all, we are pursuing strategic opportunities that will strengthen both of our economies.”

At the event, professionals from the Czech Republic and Kansas discussed how they are addressing important issues in areas such as animal welfare, animal and zoonotic diseases, food processing and manufacturing, and sustainability.

“This event is an important and concrete step forward in our shared efforts,” Czech Consul General Jakub Uteseny said. “Not only are we reinforcing our existing ties, but also fostering new connections and taking collaboration between Czechia and Kansas to the next level.”

The Ministry of Agriculture for the Czech Republic amongst others such as the State Veterinary Section of the Czech Republic, Czech University of Life Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Cymedica, Genomia Laboratory and Addicoo, represented the government, higher education and industry-specific topics in animal health for Czechia.

The roundtable also featured experts and industry leaders from the Kansas Department of Agriculture, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, MS Biotech/Axiota, Elanco Animal Health, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Plug and Play, BioNexus KC and Kansas State University.

The world class researchers, facilities at K-State and the collaboration between researchers and industry internationally were highlighted throughout the roundtable. Kansas State is a leader in animal health, and its strengths are core to its land grant mission, which puts the institution’s research and development into a global context. The university has established a research campus designed to facilitate public-private partnerships.

“If we do good in Kansas, we do good for the world,” Executive Vice President for External Engagement and Chief of Staff at K-State Dr. Marshall Stewart said. “The research campus allows the university to work collaboratively with industry not only around the country, but around the world on solving the grand challenges that are related to food, agriculture and animal health.”

“It’s truly inspiring to witness the exceptional quality of presentations and strong interest in collaborative opportunities,” Commerce International Director Laura Lombard said. “We sincerely appreciate the valuable contributions of all those who helped make the roundtable event a success.”