About us
The Extreme Breeding Commission is composed of an interdisciplinary team of experts who combine expertise from a variety of fields.
Structure and working methods of the Extreme Breeding Commission
In professional and coordinating matters, the commission is led by the chairperson. The chairperson also ensures communication with stakeholders.
Scientific expertise is provided by the permanent members of the commission. These include not only clinical specialists of veterinary medicine, but also experts in animal breeding and genetics, animal ethics and animal welfare.
The administration and management of the commission is organized by the administrative office of the extreme breeding commission, which contributes their veterinary knowledge and experience in administration and project management. This support enables the commission to operate smoothly and focus on scientific work.
To ensure a strictly scientific and objective approach by the scientific members, direct contact from external parties to these members is not permitted. All communication is handled through the administrative office.
To ensure coordinated and efficient handling of your inquiries, please contact the commission exclusively through the following e-mail addresses.
For the submission of documents and inquiries related to this, please use:
antrag@qualzuchtkommission.at
For general inquiries, please use:
office@qualzuchtkommissson.at
Members of the Extreme Breeding Commission
Following their appointment by Federal Minister Rauch in September 2024, the following members are represented in the Extreme Breeding Commission.
Chairperson:
Dr. Barbara Fiala-Köck
- High school in Judenburg, Matura 1977
- Study of Veterinary Medicine at University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna until 1984
- Styrian Farmers’ Association in Graz until January 1988
- From February 1988, Official Veterinarian in various districts of Styria until December 2009
- From January 1, 2010, Animal Protection Ombudsperson for Styria until September 2023
- AG Leader at Animal Protection Council, Permanent Working Group for Companion, Hobby, and Sport Animals
Scientific experts:
Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. vet. Dipl. ACVSMR, Dipl. ECVSMR Barbara Bockstahler – Physiotherapy and rehabilitation medicine
Dr. med. vet. Sonja Chvala-Mannsberger – Animal welfare/protection
Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. nat. techn. Birgit Fürstl-Waltl – BOKU Animal breeding
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Herwig Grimm – Animal ethics
Dr. med. vet. Mato Markovic – Cardiology
Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. vet. Dipl. ECVO Barbara Nell – Ophthalmology
Dr. med. vet. Dipl. ECVD Lucia Panakova – Dermatology
Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. vet Dipl. ECVS Eva Schnabl-Feichter – Surgery, Orthopedics
Dr. med. vet. PhD Svenja Springer – Veterinary ethics
Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. vet. Barbara Wallner – Animal breeding, genetics
Mag. med. vet. Karl Weissenbacher – Servicedogs Coordination Office for Animal Welfare Certified Dog Trainers
Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. vet. Christoph Winckler – BOKU Animal welfare science
Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. vet. Florian Zeugswetter – Internal medicine, endokrinology
Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. vet. Michael Leschnik – Internal medicine, neurology
Dr. med. vet. Dipl. ECVDI Kristina Lederer – Diagnostic imaging
Administrative Office:
Mag. Melani Horvat
- 2014 – Matura, HBLA Salzburg
- Time abroad
- 2018-2024 – Graduation from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
Tanja Fellhofer, BSc
- 2011 – Matura, HAK Ungargasse
- 2012–2015 – Employed Accountant
- 2015–2021 – Bachelor‘s degree in Zoology from the University of Vienna
- 2021–2024 – Animal Trainer at Core Facility Wolf Science Center
