European Weed Research Society

The EWRS is an international organization which promotes and co-ordinates scientific research into all aspects of weed science. EWRS aims to provide support for international collaboration in weed science, partly by assisting the work of the EWRS Working Groups, and partly by providing general information and resources. The European Weed Research Society is an international body which was formed in 1975. It is open to everyone who has an interest in weed research and related topics. A short article about the history of the society is available. Its members come from official, commercial, university and independent research organizations: all have a particular interest in the many different aspects of weed science and its technology.  In May 1958 a meeting of weed scientists in Ghent set up an international working group to accelerate progress in solving the problems caused by weeds. The first outcome was to a conference at Stuttgart-Hohenheim where Project Groups on bracken, wild oats and methods of herbicide evaluation were organised and the EWRC was established at a second meeting at Oxford in 1960. Each country was allowed to nominate an official representative on the Council and by 1975 there were 24 of them plus co-opted members from Israel and the Lebanon. In addition there was an advisory panel of 4 scientists from agrochemical manufacturers to reflect the increasing importance of herbicides. Close interaction with industry has continued and the Presidency of EWRS alternates between industrial and non-industrial members. The 1960 meeting also decided to start the journal Weed Research. This was made possible by the generosity of a number of organizations and companies who contributed to a Guarantee Fund to cover the financial risk. The official language of the society is English and all the societies’ publications are in English. EWRS mission states that, to support the development of weed science, and exchange of knowledge between weed scientists, with a primary aim of improving weed management systems, emphasizing the sustainable use of natural resources and protection of the environment. EWRS Council meetings were held annually in different countries and were followed by excursions to research institutes and farms. They provided important opportunities for scientists from around Europe to exchange views, information and experience.