The 2017 Europatat Congress, held in Belgium on 15-16 June, focused on two key areas of the industry in the shape of plant health and international trade.
The event, organised by Europatat in coordination with Belgapom, the Belgian Potato Trade and Processing Industry Association, was held under the slogan 'Make the European Potato Trade Great Again! (it’s gonna be huge, it’s gonna be great, it’s true)'.
The keynote speaker in the morning session, Harry Arijs, 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.
The afternoon session highlighted the role of Europe in the potato trade. Véronique Willems stressed the challenges but also the many benefits that the Europe Union has brought over the last 60 years, while Lene Naesager 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.
Participants also had the opportunity to review the different activities of Europatat during meetings of the various Europatat Commissions.
