Europatat and Freshfel Europe have announced that they will jointly hold a first common annual meeting on 2 June 2016, taking place in Brussels.

Adhering to the European Commission work programme 2016, the common conference will be held under the theme 'Not business as usual', and will review the upcoming challenges and opportunities for both sectors in light of what the groups call a 'complex political and business environment'.

With a broad international line up covering policy and business perspectives, the associations will aim to contribute to prepare both sectors for the future in an ever-disruptive environment.

'The potato and the fruit and vegetable sector are looking back on a decade full of changes,' a joint statement outlined. 'Changes, which were at times unexpected and which penetrated all dimensions of the business.

'The digital revolution has shaken the business on all layers: in the production, in the supply-chain and in the interaction with clients,' the continued. 'But also topics such as increased security threats, the introduction of the Russian embargo, the search for market diversification, climate change, changing consumer behaviour, the ongoing debates about an end of Schengen and trade negotiations with uncertain results are keywords, which have become constant companions of the daily business decisions.

'Successful business must learn how to manage these uncertainties and address these multifaceted challenges. Europatat and Freshfel Europe are therefore joining forces to explore strategies beyond the conventional paths – to use the sectoral synergies and to refocus both sectors sight on what is essential: good, healthy, nutritious products with a big potential.'

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