The place of new technologies in the future of the produce sector will be debated in a major new forum programme scheduled to take place alongside this year’s World Fruit & Vegetable Show.
The debate, entitled The Appliance of Science, will discuss the impact of technology in the sector, particularly with regard to providing sufficient food for a fast-growing population in a sustainable manner, at the right quality and at affordable prices. Speakers will discuss issues including the rising cost of food production, pesticide use, genetic modification and organics.
Peter Melchett, policy director of the Soil Association, which promotes organic farming, will start the discussion, to be followed by responses from Professor Greg Tucker from the University of Nottingham, Dr Helen Ferrier, chief science and regulatory affairs adviser of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), and Alan Malcolm, ceo of the Institute of Biology.
Professor John Moverley, who will introduce and chair the forum, said: “I am very much looking forward to the Appliance of Science debate, which promises lively discussion of the issues the fresh produce industry needs to reconcile for continued success into the future."
The Appliance of Science session, just part of a wide-ranging forum programme over two days, begins at 10.30am on Thursday, October 9, the second day of the World Fruit & Vegetable Show.
Other high-profile speakers during the two-day forum programme include Nigel Jenney, ceo of the Fresh Produce Consortium, John Giles, divisional director of Promar International, Michael Stephen, chairman of the Oxobiodegradable Plastics Association, Gerald Scott, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Polymer Science of Aston University; and Kenneth Hayes of the Soil Association.
There will also be a keynote speech by Richard Hirst, chairman of the NFU’s horticulture board for the NFU.
The 2008 World Fruit & Vegetable Show will take place at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London on October 8-9.
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