HallMark Joins the VPHA Romania Study Tour 2026

HallMark Joins the VPHA Romania Study Tour 2026 | Veterinary Public Health & Industry Visits

HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services was proud to take part in the Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA) Romania Study Tour 2026, joining colleagues from across the veterinary public health and food safety sectors for a memorable and insightful week of professional exchange, learning, and collaboration.

A total of seven HallMark representatives joined 28 delegates from organisations including the VPHA Council, the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), veterinary service providers, industry representatives and veterinary PhD students from the University of Bucharest.

The study tour brought together veterinary professionals, public health specialists, food safety experts, academics, and students from different countries and backgrounds, creating an excellent environment for discussion, knowledge sharing, continuing professional development (CPD), and international networking within the field of veterinary public health.

The programme combined veterinary academic exchange, industry visits, animal welfare and conservation discussions, food production and export systems, traceability, processing operations, and cultural experiences across Romania, offering valuable professional insight throughout the week.

Academic Talks & Professional Exchange

The academic programme began in Bucharest with a visit to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Bucharest (FMVB), one of Romania’s leading veterinary institutions.

The visit focused on veterinary public health, veterinary education, animal health, food safety, and international professional collaboration. Delegates participated in discussions with faculty representatives, veterinary students, researchers, and colleagues from the Institute of Diagnosis and Animal Health, exploring current priorities and challenges within the veterinary and public health sectors.

The programme provided valuable insight into veterinary medicine and public health systems in Romania, while creating opportunities for knowledge sharing, CPD, academic exchange, and international networking between veterinary professionals and students from different countries and backgrounds.

A selection of photographs from the academic programme and professional exchange sessions can be viewed in the gallery below.

Cultural Visits & Animal Welfare Discussions

The study tour also explored Romania’s rich cultural heritage alongside important discussions on animal welfare, wildlife conservation, rehabilitation, and ethical responsibility within veterinary public health.

One of the highlights of the week was the visit to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zărnești, recognised as Europe’s largest brown bear sanctuary. Delegates learned about the rehabilitation, welfare management, and long-term conservation of rescued captive bears, while gaining valuable insight into animal welfare challenges, rescue programmes, and conservation education initiatives.

The cultural programme continued through Bran, Brașov, and the Transylvania region, including visits to Bran Castle, the historic Brașov Old Town, and the Black Church. These visits provided delegates with the opportunity to experience Romanian history, architecture, traditions, and local heritage alongside the professional programme.

The combination of animal welfare discussions, conservation education, veterinary ethics, and cultural exploration made this part of the VPHA Romania Study Tour both educational and memorable for all participants.

See gallery below for highlights from the cultural visits, conservation activities, and animal welfare discussions throughout the tour.

Industry Visits & Food Production Systems

Thursday’s programme focused on Romanian agri-food production systems, food processing operations, export standards, traceability, and veterinary public health controls across the food supply chain.

Delegates visited the Olympus Dairy Factory near Brașov, one of Romania’s major dairy processing facilities, gaining valuable insight into dairy production, quality assurance procedures, food safety systems, and domestic and international export operations.

The programme also included a visit to the Bravcod – Peneș Curcanul turkey processing facility, where attendees explored poultry production systems, slaughter and processing operations, traceability procedures, animal welfare considerations, and operational standards within the Romanian poultry and food production sector.

The day concluded in Romania’s well-known Dealu Mare wine region with a traditional Romanian lunch and winery visit, providing further opportunities for professional discussion, cultural exchange, and networking between delegates in a relaxed setting.

See gallery below for highlights from the dairy, poultry, food production, and industry visits across Romania.

Networking & International Collaboration

Beyond the formal academic and industry programme, one of the greatest strengths of the VPHA Study Tour was the opportunity for international networking, professional collaboration, and knowledge exchange across the veterinary public health sector.

Throughout the week, delegates from veterinary services, government organisations, academia, food production, animal health, and public health backgrounds came together to share experiences, discuss common challenges, and build valuable professional connections within the veterinary profession.

From the welcome dinner in Bucharest to evening discussions in Brașov and informal networking throughout the tour, the social programme played an important role in creating a collaborative and supportive atmosphere for all participants.

HallMark found the experience highly valuable from both a professional development and continuing professional development perspective and it was a pleasure to share the week with such an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and welcoming group of colleagues.

See gallery below for highlights from the networking events, group activities, and social programme throughout the VPHA Romania Study Tour 2026.

Thank You

We would like to extend a huge thank you to the organisers for delivering such a well-planned, educational, and enjoyable week.

Special thanks go to Simon, Ioana, Andrei, and Raluca for coordinating every aspect of the tour so professionally, from transport and accommodation to restaurants, visits, and the overall programme.

The tour provided a fantastic introduction to Romania, its people, traditions, mountains, wildlife, food, and hospitality. It was also wonderful to reconnect with old friends and make many new ones along the way.

Thank you to everyone involved for making the VPHA Romania Study Tour 2026 such a success.

We now look forward to meeting again at the next VPHA Annual Conference on 25–26 September 2026.