The first issue of the year and already we have finalised the June issue with the amount of papers coming in. In this issue we have papers on lighting, uniformity of flocks, trace minerals as well as specialist and novel ingredients. This year sees the preparation of the 2020 WPC in Paris kicking off, which looks to be an excellent programme and all-round experience, both academic and commercial. Issue around the world are increasingly focussed on the limitation or removal of antibiotics in those countries that have not yet done so, and hence the increasing importance of biosecurity on farm for maintaining poultry health and welfare. The industry globally has had to adapt to many changes in regulations and many countries have already gone a long way in their examination of more consumer acceptable alternatives to traditional prophylactic measures – which should make it easier for those regions making the transition now or in the near future. My invitations to speak at various conferences and workshops in China last year where they are bringing in restrictions on growth promoters in feed has highlighted this well, as they come into line with the rest of the world in terms of what retailers and consumers require in poultry production as well as controlling pollution from excretion. Registering alternatives to growth promoters, e.g. plant extracts, will require new regulatory processes in various countries.

This year sees several major conferences being hosted, including the fabulous Hafez turkey diseases meeting in May, which I can highly recommend, especially the conference dinner and belly dancers. September sees the 25th European Poultry Conference, being held in Croatia, which is also the venue for the global board meeting – and I will be hosting the editorial meeting there as well and hope to catch up with colleagues and friends. Other commercial and regional meetings are already listed on the WPSA website – please check it out and attend as much as you can to support regional branches and the larger meetings, as the organisers put a lot of effort and time into staging these events.

The editorial office would like to wish all readers and members and happy (if belated) and prosperous 2018 and look forward to seeing you at meetings. Keep the papers coming!

Dr Lucy Waldron

Editor