His teaching was illustrated by spectacular and entertaining observations and anecdotes from his personal experience, including his collaboration with the food industry BYL719 supplier and his extensive international contacts and involvement. He also found time to write excellent textbooks. He was one of the founders of academic education in food science in Denmark and he trained a whole generation of food microbiologists. In collaboration

with WHO and DANIDA (Danish International Development Assistance—an agency of the Danish Foreign Ministry) he was responsible for developing and conducting courses in various developing countries in the Middle and Far East, Polynesia and elsewhere. Niels also participated in the first ICFMH Food Microbiology course in Africa in 2003. In his research Niels concentrated on food-borne pathogens. He addressed both well-known and emerging pathogens in the entire food chain with particular emphasis on poultry and pork. His research was mainly applied, and the results were directly communicated to the food industry, the scientific community and the regulatory authorities in more than 300 publications. The impact of his contributions on industry and regulatory bodies has been substantial. He also contributed in various and highly significant ways to food safety in a global perspective. Throughout his career Niels Skovgaard has directly served

governments in several countries, first of all see more Denmark, but also the other Nordic countries, and in others such as Israel, Turkey, Iran and Jordan. Numerous organisations, committees and boards in the public and private

sector valued highly and made use of his deep insight and broad knowledge. He volunteered in various round table discussions and was a scientific advisor for projects under the European Commission, Council of Europe Public Health Committee, International Dairy Federation (IDF), about FAO/WHO, ISO, World Association of Veterinary Food-Hygienists, to mention but some. His commitment was never questioned and he was always well prepared and ready to contribute with his immense knowledge and solid understanding of food microbiology. His dry sense of humour was an added bonus for all including himself. This probably helped him to cope with the very heavy work-load he constantly took upon himself. He took the view that there were two subjects that should not be raised, one was how much money one possessed, and the other was the subject of honours. Niels was not interested in wealth, but he did value the official recognition he received for his work. He was knighted twice by the Danish Queen, first as Knight of the Dannebrog and later as Knight First Class of the Order of the Dannebrog. A particular and valuable activity for Niels was his involvement in the International Committee on Food Microbiology and Hygiene (ICFMH) since the “early days” following its inauguration in 1953.