Northern Ireland - An International Conference on Animal Circoviruses in Belfast, September 2005 in partnership with Merial

An International Conference on "Animal Circoviruses and Associated Diseases" will take place in Queen's University, Belfast (QUB) from 11th - 13th September 2005. The event is being organised for the European Society of Veterinary Virology (ESVV) by 'Happening' and the Department of Veterinary Sciences at Queens University. The Conference organisers are pleased to announce that Merial has pledged its support by becoming the Platinum Partner at the Conference. Amanda Evans, Manager - Corporate Communications, Business Enterprise Support, Europe, Middle East and Africa and Franck Faucomprez, DVM, Director - Strategic Marketing, flew into Belfast recently to visit Queen's University and meet with the Local Organising Committee. Commenting on their commitment to the success of this meeting, Amanda said: "Merial is one of the world's leading animal healthcare companies and we are the ideal company to headline this Conference. We are particularly pleased to be associated with this Belfast conference as the team of veterinary researchers at QUB and DARDNI are recognised as world leaders in research in Circoviruses and have been involved in a number of important research projects and partnerships with Merial in recent years". The local Organising Committee are happy to welcome Merial as their premier partner for the forthcoming conference on Animal Circoviruses and look forward to working with them and other partners to make the conference a success. The QUB researchers who isolated and characterised the Porcine Circovirus Type 2, for which Merial developed a vaccine, and have made important discoveries in avian circovirus virology have always enjoyed a very good working relationship with Merial and are delighted with their support for the conference in Belfast. This ESVV conference will provide an opportunity for veterinarians, scientists and other end-users to meet, debate and discuss important aspects of circovirus research and control of circovirus diseases of economic importance to the global pig and poultry industries. There will be particular focus on the themes of Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Control Epidemiology Molecular Biology, Immunology, with presentations from an international platform of speakers: Steve Krakowka, USA; Joan Smyth, USA; XJ Meng, USA; Philippe Biagini, France; Mick Bailey, UK; Catherine Charreyre, France; Karel A Schat, USA; Laura Green, UK; Branson Ritchie, USA. Response to the Call for Papers has been extremely high and oral and poster presentations covering all the main themes will supplement the programme and the impressive line up of world-renowned experts. A trade exhibition will also complement the plenary scientific programme, featuring the very latest products and technology.