Europatat Congress 2017 – Making the European potato trade great
19 June 2017
Last week on 15 & 16 June, the Europatat Congress 2017 took place, organised in coordination by Europatat, the European Potato Trade Association, and Belgapom, the Belgian Potato Trade and Processing Industry Association. Feedback on the congress and side events has been extremely positive.
Under the slogan “Make the European Potato Trade Great Again! (it’s gonna be huge, it’s gonna be great, it’s true)”, the Congress focused on two of the major topics that are on the table of European policy this year, namely Plant Health (following the recent EU reform on Plant Health and Official Controls) and
International Trade (following recent historical political events).
The keynote speaker in the morning session, Mr Harry Arijs (DG SANTE, European Commission) gave participants an insight about the impact that the new European Plant Health Regulation will have in the potato sector when it enters into force at the end of 2019. At the present key implementing and delegated acts are being discussed and the potato sector’s input will be of high value. Other notable speakers in the morning included Lieven van Herzele (Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food chain safety and environment) and Professor René Custers (VIB) who spoke about the role of innovation in plant breeding to reduce the dependency on plant protection products.
The afternoon session highlighted the role of Europe in the potato trade. Véronique Willems (Secretary General of the European Association representing SMEs), stressed the challenges but also the many benefits that the Europe Union has brought over the last 60 years. Lene Naesager (DG Agriculture, European Commission) highlighted the opportunities that the European Promotion Policy for agricultural products brings (with a budget of € 200 million by 2020), and was especially complementary of the potato sector as an example for other agricultural sectors. Lastly, Cedric Porter (World Potato Markets Magazine), spoke about the consequences of Brexit for the European potato industry, and enlightened participants with a possibility for a “Breturn”.
Participants also had the opportunity to review the different activities of Europatat during the wellattended meetings of the various Europatat Commissions (early, ware potatoes & packers; RUCIP, seed potatoes & technical and regulatory issues). At the AGM held on Thursday 15 June, the annual activity report was introduced and the accounts were approved by the members. The social events, which included
a typical evening at the famous old brewery “De Koninck” at the old town of Antwerp, an unforgettable Gala dinner at the "Zoo of Antwerp" and an impressive visit to the Antwerp Harbour Building, including a Boat trip on the Scheldt, provided members and other participants with an opportunity to reinforce the networking and contact among the European potato community.
Read more:
Table Grape Symposium Global players discuss table grapes
24 March 2024
The Macfrut Table Grape Global Players event, scheduled for the second day of the trade fair (Thursday 9 May) at the Rimini Expo Centre, will be a great opportunity to meet and discuss case studies from around the world. The event is part of the Table Grape Symposium, the international symposium dedicated to table grapes, which will bring together the world’s leading experts and industry players at Macfrut (8-10 May 2024). »
Ucima celebrates 40 years of history with the Ucima40 project
23 March 2024
Ucima, the Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers' Association, is launching the Ucima40 project to mark its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1984, Ucima has always supported Italian companies in the sector and plays a pivotal role in the development and promotion of the Italian packaging industry, which today stands as a world leader in its field. This anniversary is not just an occasion to celebrate past achievements but is also an opportunity to look to the future with enthusiasm and determination. »
Interpera 2024: ticket are now on sale
21 March 2024
Interpera brings together the key players in the international pear sector to discuss common issues. The event is organised by AREFLH and ANP (National Association of Pera Rocha Producers). Online ticket sales have just begun at www.interpera.org, with "early bird" prices available until 3 May 2024. Interpera returns to Portugal ten years after the 2014 event in Santarem. Portugal is one of Europe's leading pear producing countries, with a production »