European fresh produce industry association Freshfel Europe has reappointed Ramon Rey for a second term of office as its president during its annual general meeting on 3 June in Brussels, Belgium.
The organisation's members also elected its board for the period 2010-2012 and discussed the present and future situation within the European fresh fruit and vegetable sector.
Mr Rey, director of Spanish import-export company ARC Eurobanan (a partner of Total Produce) said he was 'honoured' by the confidence expressed by his reappointment.
'Together with my other colleagues on the board, we will make sure that Freshfel is focusing on the right priorities,' he commented. 'In today's difficult economic background, it is important that we identify the tools that can help us to boost fresh produce sales to consumers and to provide in the years to come a positive environment for the companies operating in our sector.'
The association also re-confirmed Philippe Henri (Creno/UNCGFL, France) as its vice-president and elected Jérôme Fabre (Compagnie Fruitière, France) as treasurer following the recent retirement of Ronan Raes (Bonita Europe, Belgium).
The AGM also appointed four chairmen for its Import, Export, Supply Chain and Wholesale, Distribution and Foodservices divisions, as well as two vice-chairmen for each of these groups.
To reinforce Freshfel's work, the AGM also appointed a chairperson for each of its four running committees, which cover Promotion, Image and Communication, Food Quality and Sustainability, Citrus and Bananas – the latter being a new committee.
The AGM also gave Freshfel members an opportunity to discuss the current state of the fresh produce sector and its future prospects.
'Freshfel has been looking in the past 12 months at a wide range of issues ranging from quality to sustainability, nutrition, health claims, trade concerns, methods of production, promotion policy and the School Fruit Scheme, as well as looking at new market segments such as foodservice,' Mr Rey confirmed.
'Many dossiers are ongoing and will continue to be on the association’s agenda, as most of these topics represent challenges for our companies individually,' he contiunued. 'However, in many respects these issues can be better tackled collectively by Freshfel.'
Meanwhile, Philippe Binard, general delegate of Freshfel Europe, presented to members and associated members the association's annual Activity Report for the period 2009/10.
The 52-page dossier reviews Freshfel policy and its work in a number of different industry areas over the past 12 months.
The Freshfel Activity Report can be downloaded at the official Freshfel Europe website.
Freshfel Board 2010-2012
Freshfel Presidency
President: Ramon Rey, ARC Eurobanan - Total Produce
Vice President: Philippe Henri, Creno - UNCGFL
Treasurer: Jérôme Fabre, Compagnie Fruitière
Freshfel Import Division
Chairman: Marc De Naeyer, Trofi bv
Vice Chairman: Herbert Scholdei, Kolla Hamburg Overseas Import GmbH
Vice Chairman: Willem Baljeu, Frugi Venta
Freshfel Export Division
Chairman: Daniel Corbel, Cardell - Aneefel
Vice Chairman: Paco Borras, Anecoop
Vice Chairman: Michelangelo Rivoira, Rivoira Giovanni E Figli - Fruitimprese
Freshfel Wholesale, Distribution and Foodservices Division
Chairman: Henri Lambriex, Greencell Ltd
Vice Chairman: Nigel Jenney, Fresh Produce Consortium
Vice Chairman: Vincent Holveck, Pomona TerreAzur
Freshfel Supply Chain Division
Chairman: Francisco Contreras, Edeka Fruchtkontor
Vice Chairman: Jack Enevoldsen, Coop Trading A/S
Vice Chairman: Hein Deprez, Univeg Group
Freshfel Promotion, Image and Communication Committee
Chairman: Luc Clerx, Zespri International (Europe) nv
Vice Chairman: Vincent Dolan, Total Produce plc
Freshfel Food Quality and Sustainability Committee
Chairman: Andreas Bru¨gger, Deutscher Fruchthandelsverband
Vice Chairman: Axel Moehrke, Dole Europe Import bvba
Freshfel Citrus Committee
Chairman: Jose Antonio Garcia Fernandez, Ailimpo
Vice Chairman: Salvo Laudani, Oranfrizer - Fruitimprese
Freshfel Banana Committee
Chairman: Antonio Orsero, GF Group
Vice Chairman: Ann Duffy, Fyffes Plc
