European fresh produce trade association Freshfel has elected Ramon Rey, of ARC-Eurobanan/Total Produce, Spain, as its president for the term 2008-2010.

Rey was previously chairman of the Freshfel Import Division (2002-2006) and most recently served as vice-president of Freshfel Europe. He said: "I am honoured to take the lead of Freshfel, an organisation which is today strong, representative of the sector at large and well respected both within the industry and at the EU level. This positive image is the result of the involvement of all the members but also of the hard work and leadership of Pino Calcagni who decided not to seek re-election and from whom I proudly take over.” Calcagni, of Besana Group, Italy, has served Freshfel in various capacities over many years, and as president since 2006.

Freshfel also elected Philippe Henri, Creno/UNCGFL, France, as its vice-president and re-confirmed Ronan Raes, Bonita Europe, Belgium, as treasurer. The chairmen of the four Freshfel divisions - import, export, wholesale/distribution and foodservices as well as Supply Chain - are respectively Jacques Azoulay, Katope International/Univeg, France, Willem Baljeu, Frugi Venta, the Netherlands, Henri Lambriex, Greencell, UK, and Svend Kristensen, Coop Trading, Denmark.

Laurence Swan, of Fyffes plc, Ireland, will run the association’s promotion, image and communication committee committee, which has been “renamed as a signal of the priorities that the association is setting for the next two years”, said Rey.

"The new composition of the Board will allow the Association’s work to be steered by a strong team of diversified experience from production down to retailing,” he added. “The functioning of each division has been reinforced by the appointment of a second vice-president, enlarging the expertise and membership representation at Board level. At last week’s agm in Antwerp, Philippe Binard, general delegate of Freshfel Europe, presented a report for the period 2007-2008, which can be downloaded from the Freshfel website (www.freshfel.org).

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