The European Federation of WPSA Branches, recognizing the importance of person-toperson contacts to promote scientific knowledge, started to establish “Working Groups” in 1960, following the first European Poultry Conference in Utrecht. The Membership Directory 2001 lists 8 Working Groups, two have been reactivated since then and two new ones added.

There are no plans to re-activate WG7, Poultry Hygiene and Pathology, because the subject area is too broad for a Working Group and covered more adequately by the World’s Poultry Veterinary Association (WVPA). Current WVPA president is Prof. H.M. Hafez (address given under WG 10). Specific information on different Working Groups can be found in the following pages, the WPSA website and the Calendar section of WPSJ.

The Working Groups vary widely in how they organize their activities. WPSA members who are not yet familiar with this highly effective element of communication within the WPSA, should know that the secretaries of all Branches of the European Federation are regularly invited to nominate members for the WG committees, usually limited to two per branch. Working Group 6 communicates informally by e-mail.

The chairperson of each WG is elected by the committee, usually for a period of 4 years and with the option for re-election. Some WGs also elect a secretary and/or treasurer. Each WG is responsible for its own expenses. Most WGs hold business meetings during the EPC.

Unless they decide otherwise, most WGs organize Symposia in odd years, between World Poultry Congresses and European Poultry Conferences. Participants from outside Europe and non-members of WPSA are generally welcome at the Symposia.

The Working Groups of the European Federation of WPSA contribute significantly to communication in poultry science.  All branches of the European Federation are invited to identify members who should become active in a specific Working Group in order to make best possible use of this network of poultry science

Following the creation of national branches of the Association it was a logical development for members in such branches to discuss possibilities for liaison on matters of common interest. In Europe, where around half the branches of the Association are located, collaboration between them was a natural development. The fact that the 1958 World’s Poultry Congress was held a long way from Europe led to the idea of arranging regular meetings within the region that would facilitate reasonable participation costs. At a meeting in Rome in May 1959, and stimulated by the enthusiasm of Major Ian Macdougall, the formation of the European Federation of WPSA Branches became a reality. In 1960 the first in a series of European Conferences (see below) was held in Utrecht, the Netherlands. These events are held at four-year intervals, but two years out of phase with the World Congresses so as to avoid a clash. In addition these conferences, which are organized by the branch of the host country, tend to follow a different pattern from that adopted by the Congresses. The Presidents and Secretary-Treasurers of the Federation since its inception are listed below.

Another successful initiative by the European Federation has been the establishment of scientific and technical Working Groups, six of which were initiated in 1962. These groups, listed below, variously produce reports and arrange meetings and symposia. They have done much to stimulate international liaison and collaboration between scientists and technologists in the poultry industry. 

Currently, branches joining the federation pay a small fee per member to defray administration costs. All members of branches making up the federation have the right to attend its quadrennial conferences and the symposia organised by Federation Working Groups.

The main activity of working groups is to organize symposia, typically every two years, in odd years between the World Congresses and European Conferences. The host branch and the chairperson share the responsibility for planning and carrying out the symposia. Participation in the Symposia is open to WPSA members as well as non-members from any country. Usually proceedings are offered to participants at the beginning of the symposia, with short versions of all papers. It is recommended to print additional copies, for the general secretariat of the WPSA, the secretary of the European Federation, the editor of WPSJ and (on request) to secretaries of those branches which were not represented by delegates.

The chairpersons are asked to send an informal annual report about their activities to the President and Secretary of the EF, which may be identical to a short contribution for the website of the WPSA. Main contents should be: last symposium (when, where, how many participants from how many countries), next symposium (when, where) and e-mail address of the chairperson. Since not all WPSA members will visit the website, the announcement for the next Symposium should be included in the WPSJ Calendar, at least one year ahead of the date.