Seed event rises to the challenges ahead

The last few places for Potato Council’s Seed Industry Event (SIE), which takes place on October 30, 2008, at Crieff Hydro, Crieff, near Perth in Scotland, are expected to be taken up shortly, according to organisers. Anyone wishing to attend should book as soon as possible via the Potato Council website www.potato.org.uk/seedevent.

"SIE is a popular event and is always fully booked, so we’re expecting the last couple of dozen places to go shortly," reports Potato Council seed and export manager Mark Prentice. "We’re keen that those who have been harvesting hard and neglected to book don’t leave it till it’s too late."

Now in a new one-day format, SIE includes a conference, workshops and an industry dinner. With the focus on Rising to the challenges ahead, speakers and delegates will explore how issues from carbon footprints to consumer attitudes, cost inflation to health issues, have affected a seed grower’s bottom line.

"The new compact format keeps the content delegates value – the conference, workshops and industry dinner – and all the opportunities these hold to network, get together and discuss industry priorities. As usual there’s a high calibre of speakers who will explore the challenges and discuss the solutions that will deliver a thriving future," continues Mr Prentice.

The event starts at 11:30, with a keynote address from the president of the World Potato Congress, Allan Parker. Workshops follow lunch, and tackle today’s fundamental challenges: export markets, consumer attitudes, virus health, Dickeya dianthicola (previously known as Erwinia chrysanthemi) and cost inflation. Delegates then reconvene for conference papers on carbon footprints and the challenges and threats to potato breeding. The ever-popular industry dinner rounds off proceedings.

"It’s always proven to be a valuable event for the industry to take stock and highlight priorities. This year we expect those to be the effects on the industry of the reduced availability of clean land, how British breeding expertise can adapt to future market requirements, and how we can maintain our enviable high-health status and use it to the industry’s advantage," adds Mr Prentice.

Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals and companies have the opportunity to organise meetings or seminars around the event. For more details and to download the booking form, go to www.potato.org.uk/seedevent. Alternatively call Des Vickers on 07771 528179.