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 the fur industry are active participants.
Representatives from three continents and 20 countries were present at the meeting in the Netherlands in 2004. The scientific presentations included ranged from reports of behavioral studies and animal welfare, to gene mapping in wild and domestic furbearers. They were on the cutting edge of investigation.
IFASA provides a mechanism for ready communication and collaboration among members with similar interests. A further purpose of the association is to consolidate scientists of similar interest to provide expertise for fur associations and governments in establishing policies and regulations for furbearer management.
