Prior to 2006, ILVO’s services were carried out by a collection of research institutes ("rijksstations") or Departments. A royal decree merged these institutes into one organisation (ILVO). ILVO is required to:

• Conceptualise, initiate and implement multidisciplinary scientific research and acquire scientific knowledge as required by policy makers and maintain the necessary contacts with the government, the sector and the community;
• Communicate the insights acquired to policy makers;
• Provide services based on scientific expertise, or cooperate with other scientific institutes to execute fundamental research, applied research or extension research, insofar as this research fits into government policy;
• Offer services and products to the government and third parties, as far as this complies with the mission and the management agreement;
• Collaborate on training and educating various organisations involved in information and development services, particularly the Flemish authorities;
• Build scientific knowledge and disseminate that knowledge through scientific publications, research reports, and lectures; and provide the authorities, the agricultural sector and the public with appropriate information;
• Offer Ph.D. scholarships;
• Collaborate with international, federal and regional scientific initiatives, and in this way, support those governments to achieve their involvement and obligations in related matters;
• Cooperate in developing proposals for research by third parties;
• Acquire and manage funds, personnel, equipment and real estate to realise the mission and the tasks outlined in this decree;
• Carry out special assignments insofar as they are appropriate to its mission and duties.