Director of the International Institute of Breeding of edible snails in Cherasco (Cuneo).
In 1973 he set up the first installations to breed snails with a complete biological cycle. He carried out research in this particular field together with numerous scientific Institutes and publicized both data and results obtained after tests in open air breeding stations. Since the beginning he has been one of the staunchest supporters of this kind of breeding. In 1978 he founded the Breeders National Association which was soon officially recognized by the A.I.A. as a specific organization in the above mentioned field. Gianni Avagnina was appointed national president.

He is also the head of some breeding plants, transformation and snail marketing businesses. Recently he has also founded the first joint-venture in this field both in Europe and in other countries outside Europe.He performs the activity of technical consultant both in Italy and abroad on the behalf of Public Boards and private business. Many important snail-breeding farms have been set up under his direct supervision in Europe, South America and Africa.

The “Newspaper of Breeding of Edible Snails” is edited by Gianni Avagnina. He is also the author of numerous books on the same subject. To sum up, he is one of the world’s main leaders for the development and breeding of Helix snails.