Professor Haldja Viinalass receives prestigious award from the European Federation of Animal Science

The EAAP Distinguished Service Award is presented to senior individuals in acknowledgement of their outstanding career and service to the livestock sector in general and to EAAP in particular, with a maximum of three recipients per year. The three awardees join a select group of leading figures who have left a lasting mark on European and international animal science. 

In addition to Viinalass, this year's Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Professor Georg Thaller of Kiel University in Germany and Professor Michael Lee of Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom. Only one Estonian scientist had previously received the EAAP award: in 2004, the award was presented to Professor and animal scientist Olev Saveli, who served as Rector of the Estonian Agricultural University, now the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

Three decades of advancing animal genetics

Professor Haldja Viinalass has been at the forefront of animal genetics research at the Estonian University of Life Sciences for approximately 30 years. She has headed the animal genetics laboratory and, for 20 years, a structural unit specialising in animal genetics and breeding.

Alongside her research and teaching, Viinalass has contributed to the development of animal genotyping, genetic identification and parentage verification services. These services are used by animal owners, breeding organisations and public authorities.

“Over the years, Viinalass has supervised numerous students and early-career researchers and shared her expertise in animal genetics and breeding beyond the university. Expert opinions and recommendations based on her research have helped ensure that animal breeding in Estonia is guided by science-based decisions,” said Ülle Jaakma, Rector of the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

Long-standing contribution to international cooperation

Viinalass has also been closely involved in international cooperation. From 1997 to 2019, she served as Estonia's National Coordinator for Animal Genetic Resources for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and from 2011 to 2015, she was a member of the EAAP Council.

She has also helped bring major international scientific and professional events to Estonia. The largest of these was the 68th EAAP Annual Meeting, held in Tallinn in 2017, which brought together more than 1,000 participants from 54 countries. Viinalass has also played a leading role in organising Baltic animal breeding conferences and fostering cooperation among animal genetics laboratories.

“This is a very special and valuable recognition. Haldja Viinalass has earned it through her dedication and outstanding work, not only in Estonia but also in supporting the livestock sector worldwide. Recognition of this kind also raises Estonia's profile internationally. We are very proud of her achievement,” said Jaakma.

The European Federation of Animal Science brings together researchers and professionals in animal science and livestock production from across Europe. Its annual meetings also attract participants from beyond Europe and provide an important forum for presenting new research findings and discussing developments in the livestock sector.

Further information:

EAAP: EAAP Announces 2026 Distinguished Service Award Recipientslink opens in new page
EAAP: Distinguished Service Awardslink opens in new page