EDITORIAL

In his Editorial in the June issue of Avian Pathology Dave Cavanagh, the retiring Editor-in-Chief, mentioned that he had ‘passed the baton’ to me. If Dave's analogy referred to a conductor's baton, then I hope that I can orchestrate the production of the journal as harmoniously and capably as he has. On the other hand, if his analogy was to passing the baton in a relay race, I can only say that Dave passed it to me in such a skilled way that there was no chance of dropping it, although I may not be able to run as fast as him for a while.

In this issue Professor Peter Biggs has written an acknowledgement of Dave's ability and achievements as Editor-in-Chief. I can only endorse this and add that the present day success of the journal can be attributed not only to him but also to the insight, hard work and enthusiasm of all the past Editors-in-Chief (Professor KlimeŠ, Professor Biggs and Dr L.N. (Jim) Payne) since the journal was first published in 1972 (Biggs, 2006). I am privileged to be following in such eminent footsteps and fortunate to have inherited some very important assets: we have a strong and skilled team of Associate Editors, a highly efficient Editorial Assistant in Verity Cavanagh; the very capable help and guidance of the Taylor and Francis publishing team and a well qualified Advisory Board to provide advice and comment when needed.

Dave has already acknowledged our contributors and readers, who are so important to us and I would also like to add a special thank you to our many past and future peer reviewers who give freely of their time and expertise and, in so doing, help to maintain the balance between ‘give and take’ in the world of scientific publication.