United Kingdom
June 12, 2009
Following
extensive research among key players in the crop production and
protection sector and in consultation with our advisory panel, a
dynamic and comprehensive conference programme has been
developed for this year’s
BCPC
Congress.
The conference, which takes place from 9 to 11 November at the
SECC in Glasgow, UK, will provide delegates with strategic crop
production industry overviews as well as the latest scientific
advances from all over the world.
“Over the next few decades the global food supply will come
under significant pressure,” warns Dominic Dyer, Chief Executive
of the Crop Protection Association who will be leading the panel
debate on the first morning of the Congress.
“We have a rapidly growing population putting increasing demand
on agriculture for food. Diets are changing with people in
developing countries consuming more meat and dairy products than
ever before. There is now severe pressure on land, energy and
water resources and increasing threats from climate change. Here
in Europe we cannot afford to take our future food supplies for
granted.
“Now more than ever we need to change our attitudes to new
agricultural biotechnology and crop protection tools in order to
tackle the issues of long term food supply sustainability. We
hope this panel debate will stimulate some exciting discussions
and will be of interest to delegates from around the globe.”
Specialist sessions over the two-and-a-half day conference will
cover a wide variety of topics from climate change to
biosensors, from research funding issues to the declining bee
population, from amenity use to invasive aliens.
“Climate Change and the Challenges for Global Agriculture is
likely to be a very popular session for this year’s congress
delegates,” suggests Professor Peter Gregory, Director and Chief
Executive for the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI)
“Not only will we be considering the opportunities that climate
change offers to agriculture particularly in the northern
temperate regions, but we will be assessing how the
opportunities will need to be taken advantage of in order to
offset the detrimental effects that will be experienced
elsewhere, particularly in the tropics.”
“The honey bee is an essential pollinating insect for wild plant
species and many crops,” explains Dr David Aston, Technical
Committee Chair, British Beekeepers’ Association.
“Because of the spread of the parasitic Varroa destructor in UK
honey bee colonies, the survival of the honey bee is in jeopardy
and dependent on beekeepers. Land management practices, which
allow for a continual supply of nectar and pollen throughout the
active season, are also critical for the honey bee survival. All
the issues affecting the future of this valuable insect will be
considered in the Bees – Operation Pollinator session.”
Other confirmed speakers include:
- Paul Leonard,
Communications & Government Relations, Crop Protection, BASF
SE.
- Michael Flüh, Unit
Head, Chemicals, Contaminants, Pesticides, DG SANCO.
- Tom Hind, Head of
Economics & International Affairs, NFU.
- Dr Robin Gunning,
Principal Research Scientist, New South Wales. Department of
Primary Industries.
- Chris Green,
Director, Senova.
- Chris Danks, Chief
Executive Officer, Forsite Diagnostics.
- Geoff Coates,
Agribusiness Manager, Syngenta UK.
- Dr Elaine Booth,
Non Food Crops and Oilseeds Specialist, SAC.
More speakers will be confirmed
over the next few weeks and the latest programme, as well as
details on how to register, can be found on the dedicated
Congress website
www.bcpccongress.com.
The British Crop Production
Council (BCPC) is a non-profit making organisation. Over 50
years it has developed an international reputation for sound
science in the fields of agriculture, food and the environment.
Its conferences, publications and working groups bring together
scientists to form opinion on key issues. Its website attracts
more than 12,000 visitors a month seeking its opinions, products
and services. |
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