HISTORY

The European Veterinary Immunology Group (EVIG) was founded under the auspices of the European Federation of Immunologic Societies (EFIS) in 2001.

We intend that EVIG will be a platform for communication and exchange, enhancing European research in particular. It should be stated that we are not particularly keen to add new meetings to the ever-crowded scientific calendar or to build an exclusive self-appointed group.

With regard to the formal organization of the EVIG, it has to be noted that veterinary immunology does not have active or even formal groupings in most European countries (EFIS members). Accordingly, we cannot build on any delegate system of which we elect boards or alike. The only alternative we had was to co-opt established veterinary immunologists from the scientific community in Europe. Members for the boards should be independent in their work, active in the scientific community, have experience in scientific organisations, represent various scientific areas by methods and species and their countries. Additionally member states should include north, south, east and west Europe. Last and not least, many if not all farm and companion animal species including fish and wildlife should be covered. To cope with these needs, we decided to establish two boards (executive and advisory) as concentric circles around the core of a steering committee with a coordinator.

A more detailed view on the history of EVIG was published recently (Steinbach et al., 2004; Vet ImmImm, 100, 99-103).