English Apples & Pears has accepted an invitation to host Prognosfruit 2008 in the UK next year.

The annual European event is an important date in the top-fruit industry calendar, at which crop forecasts for all the major production countries are released.

The 2008 event will take place on Friday, August 8, in Kent, at the Ashford International Hotel, and will be followed by a gala dinner at Leeds Castle. There will be a reception on the previous evening at Godinton House, near Ashford, and on August 9 there will be a series of technical visits for delegates.

Adrian Barlow, right, chief executive of English Apples & Pears, said: “Prognosfruit is a very important conference for the industry worldwide. We are delighted to have been invited to organise the 2008 event, and we aim to arrange a programme that will be stimulating, interesting and enjoyable, whilst highlighting the heritage and beauties of England.”

The programme for the conference is being finalised, but it will feature speakers on important topical subjects, as well as the publication of the first 2008-09 European crop estimates and a review of the 2008 southern-hemisphere season.

A website is already up and running at www.prognosfruit2008.co.uk, which will be updated as the programme is finalised and which will enable delegates to register for the conference. A programme for partners is also being arranged.

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