IVPA Belgium organized the second IVPA World Congress in Brussels on November 25, 2023.
The congress was attended by pigeon veterinarians from all over the world, including the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, Portugal, Great Britain, South Africa, the USA, and of course Belgium, the birthplace of the pigeon sport.
The presentations covered various topics and were delivered by prominent speakers such as Dr. Roel Haesendonck, Prof. Dr. Didier Marlier, veterinarian Ruben Lanckriet, Dr. Elisabeth Peus, PD. Dr. Dennis Rubbenstroth, Dr. Bénédicte Callens, Dr. Sebastiaan Theuns, Dr. Krzysztof Adamczyk, and Prof. Dr. Tomasz Stenzel.
All attendees agreed that the issues in pigeon medicine around the world are virtually the same, so collaboration on all the different subjects is essential.
This is why IVPA was established a few years ago by Prof. Piotr Szeleszczuk from Poland, who was honored by IVPA Belgium with the “IVPA Lifetime Achievement Award” for his knowledge, expertise, skills, and as the founder of the IVPA by the current president of IVPA, Pascal Lanneau.
The congress was very useful and fruitful, not only to listen to the interesting viewpoints of the many keynote speakers but also to meet all the “pigeon” scientists from around the world and exchange ideas, thoughts, etc., creating a larger network.
With a fresh and open mind, old topics were discussed and new interesting cases were reviewed.
IVPA aims to assist the pigeons, the pigeon sport, and pigeon enthusiasts by exchanging information, knowledge, and skills with all pigeon veterinarians worldwide. Organizing a congress for pigeon veterinarians is part of this effort.
IVPA also provides advice to national and international federations and collaborates with the FCI and RPP to address the avian influenza issue in the so-called Avian Influenza Task Force, and in collaboration with FCI, there will be another conference on avian influenza and pigeon welfare during the Olympics on January 26, 2024, in Maastricht (NL).
Thanks to the keynote speakers, sponsors, and all attendees at the congress.
More information and photos can be found at www.ivpa.be