The Norwegian Veterinary Institute is a national biomedical research institute in the fields of animal health, fish health and food safety, whose primary function is supply of independent research based advisory support to the governing authorities.

Preparedness, diagnostics, surveillance and monitoring, reference- and scientific advisory functions, and risk assessment are the most important areas of operation.

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute is a governmental agency, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs and the Norwegian Research Council.