Introduction

The European College of Avian Medicine and Surgery (ECAMS) is a a veterinary specialty organization which was founded in August 1993 according to the guidelines laid down in the Report and Recommendations on the Transitional Organisation of Veterinary Specialisation (III/F/5385/5/91), which was adopted by the Advisory Committee on Veterinary Training of the European Commission at its meeting on 12th February 1992.
The ECAMS was an initiative of the European Committee of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, which in turn resulted from initiatives in the late eighties/early nineties in Europe and other non-European countries (i.e. USA, Australia, Israel) in response to a
growing demand for better avian medical and surgical services for birds through specialization, and a need to harmonize certification in this area.
The specialty avian medicine and surgery is a clinical species oriented specialty. The specialty involves medical and surgical disciplines and involves various body systems within the class Aves. The specialist in avian medicine and surgery will work primarily as a clinician who is concerned with all aspects of diagnosis and management of diseases of birds other than poultry (i.e. companion birds, ornamental birds, zoo birds, racing pigeons, birds kept for falconry, wild birds, ratites).

The primary objectives of the College are to advance avian medicine and surgery in Europe and increase the competency of those who practice in this field. Further aims are to make the public aware of the ability of Specialists in Avian medicine and surgery and the benefits of involving members of this college in all national and international issues relating to health, welfare, biosecurity and training, as they relate to birds and avian medicine as a whole.

This publication gives detailed information about the ECAMS, including the Constitution, Bylaws, Interim Rules and Regulations and an Information Brochure. The latter contains information about requirements for admission to the College, a profile of the specialty, and application and examination procedures. A Dutch translation of the Constitution is included since this was used for legal registration of the ECAMS in the Netherlands. This publication is a revision of the Constitution of 1993. The revision was needed partially to fulfil the requirements for provisional recognition by the European Board of Veterinary Specialization (EBVS). The ECAMS received full recognition by the European Board of Veterinary Specialists in April 2005

Neil A Forbes, President