The main theme of the Congress, 'Ethology for Health and Welfare', was chosen to reflect the prominence that applied ethology has in the field of animal welfare and to encourage the development of applied ethology in studies to promote animal health. The location of this year's Congress within the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island has provided the focus on veterinary aspects of ethology and welfare. Applied ethology continues to develop and expand, and we have showcased recent developments in play behaviour and other key topics.

"Overall, this new Burleigh Dodds text, Ensuring Safety and Quality in the Production of Beef, is a breath of fresh air. It covers a mountain of factors that can contribute to beef demand. It assembles a truly remarkable set of authors; scientists that have spent a career on their specific topics. This text is a "must read"!! Meat Science Consumer expectations of sensory and nutritional quality have never been higher. Drawing on an international range of expertise, this book reviews research in understanding and improving the quality of beef. Part 1 reviews how breeding and growth affect carcass composition. Part 2 discusses aspects of husbandry affecting meat quality such as nutrition, metabolic modifiers and handling of cattle. The book then goes on to discuss factors affecting flavor, color and tenderness, as well as grading, packaging and methods for measuring sensory quality. Ensuring safety and quality in the production of beef Volume 2: Quality will be a standard reference for animal and food scientists in universities, government and other research centres and companies involved in beef production. It is accompanied by Volume 1 which reviews safety issues in beef production.