Fresh2004, the annual international fruit and vegetable congress organised jointly by European trade association Freshfel and Eurofruit Magazine, takes place in Venice next week (June 2-4).

This year’s event will focus on the recent enlargement of the European Union to 25 countries, with a series of presentations and discussion panel sessions analysing the major issues surrounding the accession of 10 new member states.

June 3 will kick off with a keynote presentation by John Peet, European editor of The Economist, who will tackle “a new dimension for Europe” and the key drivers for change in the new member states. A round table discussion follows, with trade representatives from Slovenia, Poland, Slovakia and Belgium joining Freshfel’s Philippe Binard to debate the latest facts and figures surrounding enlargement.

On the first afternoon, delegates will hear sessions on understanding the cultures of the new EU 10 and how to cope with the new trade flows into the larger Union.

The second morning features an early visit to Padova wholesale market, one of Italy’s newest and busiest produce centres, before the conference resumes with a session on Italian retailing and the opportunities that exist within one of Europe’s most traditional markets.

Speakers from RBS Group and University of Milan will then address the impact of EU enlargement on the global economy.

The congress finishes off with a panel session that will look at the new political dimension for fresh produce in the EU of 25. Alexander Tilgenkamp of the EC, Gino Peviani of ANEIOA, Italy, Denis Onfroy of Interfel, France, Kai Krasseman, Freshfel president, and Hans van Es, Copa-Cogeca, Netherlands, will look at the ramifications of enlargement for trade representative bodies.

An optional tour of a Carrefour hypermarket and Coop Italia supermarket has been organised for delegates post-lunch.

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