About the exhibition

European organization of poultry, pigeon, rabbit, exotic bird and guinea pig breeders.
Origin – EE – ENTENTE EUROPÉENNE D´AVICULTURE ET DE CUNICULTURE.

When the breeding of small animals expanded at the turn of the 20th century and
subsequently breeders‘ associations were established in several countries, the desire to
establish an international breeders‘ organization was born.
The initiative came from the American Society of Poultry Instructors and Scientists, which at
its annual meeting in 1910, established a central group for cooperation in the world. After a
survey of breeders‘ organizations in various countries, the -,International Society of Poultry
Instructors and Scientists was founded at the Royal Agricultural Society in London, with the
participation of almost twenty countries. The chairman was Dr. Edward Brown from England,
and the secretary was Dr. Raymond Pearl from the USA.
The aim of the society was to expand knowledge and experience and to stimulate scientific
research in the society’s field of work, as well as to organize world poultry congresses and
world exhibitions.

The first world congress of poultry breeders took place in 1921 in The Hague, the second in
1924 in Barcelona, ​​the third in 1927 in Ottawa. Only after World War II did other congresses
follow – in 1930 in London, 1933 in Rome, 1938 in Leipzig, 1939 in Cleveland. During this
period, about fifty countries participated in the activities of the breeding society.
After looking at the congress programs, we learn that rabbit breeding was also included in
the program from the beginning. The congress was always at the level of a first-class social
event, with a high impact on society. The exhibitions, depending on the organizing countries,
were attended by 100,000 to 300,000 visitors.
The scientific and propaganda work of the society, which was later renamed the WPSA
/World Poultry Scientists Society/, began to concentrate more and more on the economic
field and research.
Hobby breeders were slowly disappearing from this society, voices began to appear to
establish an international organization that would unite breeders of small animals and
breeders of purebred breeds.
On June 18, 1938, the -,International Organization of Small Animal Breeders“, under the
name – „Entente des Commissions Internationales“, which means – „Union of International
Commissions“. The founders were representatives of France, Belgium, the Netherlands and
Luxembourg.
The goal of the organization was to unite all breeders of small animals from different
countries. First of all, to organize international exhibitions, with the participation of breeders
of member countries.

At the meeting of the Entente des Commissions Internationales on 27 May 1954 in Duisburg
/Germany/, at the initiative of President Alex Witzer from France, the organization was
renamed the „Entente Européenne d’Aviculture et de Cuniculture“, as it is not a world
organization, but a European one. This name is still valid and has been expanded to include
other sections – pigeons, exotic birds and guinea pigs.