The importance of competition for iron in the interactions between saprophytic microorganisms, pathogens and plants has been recognised for almost a decade. This has been reflected i.n an upsurge of publications on the topic over the last five years. Paradoxically, the subject was only touched upon during the International Congress of Plant Pathology held in 1983. In response to this apparent omission, a few of those most closely associated with the topic met one evening during which they resolved to organise a symposium devoted solely to the various aspects of iron uptake and its relation to plant disease. It was my privilege to be asked to undertake the task of convenor. &arly correspondence brought a wealth of positive replies to the proposal, particularly from Bob Schippers in Baarn. With the increasing costs of international symposia the need for a sponsor soon became apparent and an application to NATO was favourabiy received, following helpful advice from Dr. di Lullo, Advanced Research Workshop Programme Director, to whom all the participants in this Workshop owe a debt of gratitude.