Well over 800 poultry scientists from over 50 countries gathered in the Maritim Hotel Congress Centre in the beautiful German city of Bremen from 6-10 September. Among the delegates were around 50 from the UK, a significant proportion of whom presented papers in either the main plenary sessions or the many symposia.
The Conference served as an interface between science, technology and practice and promoted the exchange of the latest information from all fields of current poultry research. In addition various professional tours helped to deepen the discussions on scientific issues. Participants in these got an insight into poultry production and research in the northwestern part of Germany.
The European poultry industry has undergone dramatic changes during the past four decades. Scientists and commercial companies in Europe have joined forces to make poultry meat and eggs affordable for a growing number of people in all parts of the world. Topics like sustainable production systems, product quality, economics, environment and acceptance by producers and consumers were discussed in oral and poster presentations.
In addition internationally recognized experts were invited as speakers to update delegates on selected poultry issues.
The proceedings of these conferences reflect how the scientific community has responded to the challenges of the changing times. The emphasis of research - reflecting the financial support from public sources as well as the needs of the industry - has shifted gradually from efficient production of poultry meat and eggs (genetics, nutrition, disease control, management) to product quality (including further processing) and food safety, and, more recently, to poultry welfare, sustainability of breeding and production systems and related consumer demands.
Also at the Conference 10 young scientists were honoured with a “Best Poster Award” for their outstanding contribution. A total amount of €5000 was shared among the winners.
European Conferences are held every 4 years, between the World Congresses of the WPSA.
Proceedings of the conference can be ordered as hard copy from Eugen Ulmer Verlag, Archiv Geflügelkd 2002, 60, Stuttgart, Germany (ISSN 1619-2354, price €25). They are also available on CD-ROM from the German Branch of WPSA. The Secretary’s email address is: sabine.schueller@intervet.com).
The conference website www.epc2002.de, with the detailed programme is accessible until the end of November.
Business meetings
At the Executive Committee of the Federation of European Branches the Secretary, Prof Colin Whitehead, reported that membership was down about 7% to 2900 within the 26 Branches in membership over the last four years. Reports were received on their activities from the nine active Working Groups.
The European Federation Council also met and elected Prof Dietmar Flock of Germany to succeed Mr Ben-Ami Ron as President for the next four years. Vice Presidents will be Dr Michele Tixier-Boichard (France) and Prof Franchini (Italy).
There was, in the event, no contest to host the 12th European Poultry Conference, and so this will be held in Verona, Italy, in 2006. Verona is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as being at the centre of the densest poultry production area in Europe.
The French Branch withdrew from the contest and announced that they would bid for the 2010 Conference in Tours.