IFASA was born at the IV International
Scientific Congress on Fur Animal Production held in Toronto, Canada in 1988. An
international organization was proposed to promote scientific investigation of all aspects
of fur animal production. The major objective of IFASA was to provide the structure and a
forum for interaction of scientists from all countries who are engaged in research in
animal behaviour and welfare, furbearer, nutrition,disease prevention, physiology and
genetics. At the time the inception of IFASA, a constitution
was developed, which has been amended at subsequent meetings of the membership. The
constitution provides for annual board meetings
and meetings of the IFASA council, comprised of representatives from each country, held in
conjunction with the congresses. Funding for IFASA comes from member dues, direct support from
fur animal organizations and revenue from the congresses. The annual budget is
approved by the board of directors.
Four
fur congresses, Oslo in 1976, Copenhagen in 1980, Versailles in 1984 and that in Toronto
had been organized on an ad hoc basis by groups of scientists in conjunction with
national fur animal associations. An important goal of IFASA was to develop a structure to
ensure the continuity of the congresses. Since the inception of IFASA, |
four congresses have been held, in Oslo in 1992, Warsaw in 1996,
Kastoria, Greece in 2000 and Den Bosch in the Netherlands in 2004. The ninth congress is planned for Halifax, Canada in 2008. A second important goal in the development of IFASA was to publish the
journal Scientifur. Professor Jorgensen edited the journal since its beginning in 1975,
and has continued since it became the official publication of IFASA. The Board of
Directors of IFASA recently appointed an editorial board for Scientifur. The membership in IFASA and attendance at the congresses has been international in character. Scientists,
fur
producers, representatives of national fur breeder associations and organizations
supplying |
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