News on Industry Associations from Europe

The Working Group for GB Potatoes has striven to bring the industry together to explore and develop what the industry needs following the levy payer ballots in Potatoes and Horticulture.

The PotatoEurope trade fair, which took place this week on 7 and 8 September, at the Rittergut Bockerode Estate in Springe-Mittelrode near Hanover, Germany, has confirmed its role as the international venue for potato.

On 30 May 2022, the Europatat membership gathered in Dublin approved a new vision and mission for Europatat, as well as the key fields of action and priorities for the next three years (2022-2025)

June has marked the end of Europatat’s Presidency for Mr Gilles Fontaine, who joined Europatat’s Board in 2014 as Treasurer and became President in 2018.

Europatat, the European Potato Trade Association, has celebrated in Dublin (Ireland) its first physical General Assembly meeting since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Congress Programme Committee, is delighted to announce that the Congress Programme is now available to view online.

After 20 months of service as the first elected chairman of the NEPG, the Dutchman Jaap Botma from Friesland stopped as scheduled. Jaap was an arable farmer (seed potatoes, sugar beets, onions, cereals, …) for 28 years.

A través de esta alianza buscan alcanzar un mayor acceso a mercados comunitarios, así como desarrollar estrategias globales para aumentar la cuota de mercado. Supone un paso clave para la expansión internacional de Patatas Meléndez.

The World Potato Congress Industry Award ceremony is an important and prestigious event on the international potato scene. The award recognizes a lifetime of contributions to the potato industry.

Once productores fundan en Polientes la Asociación Calidad Diferenciada Patata de la zona. El consejero Guillermo Blanco ha ofrecido apoyo para avanzar en una Indicación Geográfica Protegida, IGP.

Romain Cools, President and CEO, World Potato Congress Inc., and Tamas Houlihan, Chairman, WPC Industry Awards Committee, are now requesting nominations for the 2022 World Potato Congress Industry Awards.

Yolanda Medina (León, 1974) lleva más de 25 años vinculada al sector patatero de toda España. Ahora defiende la utilidad de la Interprofesional de Castilla y León con la que buscan ser un ejemplo para todo el país y el reconocimiento del producto

Mathijs Peters, responsible for EU Corporate Affairs at PepsiCo was elected President of the European Snacks Association asbl (ESA) for a two-year term. He succeeds Dr. Rolf Nilges, Intersnack’s Director of Research & Development and External Affairs.

Last week, after 15 years, Nele Cattoor left the Belgian fruit and vegetable sector. She's taking on a new challenge. Nele was the Belgian Vegetable Processing Sector Union, Vegebe's general secretary.

El Consejo de Gobierno de la Junta de Catilla y León ha aprobado una subvención de 65.000 euros a la Organización Interprofesional de la Patata de Castilla y León (OIPACYL) para fortalecer y equilibrar el sector de la patata.

Tim, currently Chief Operating Officer of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), will take up his position at the Stoneleigh-based levy board on 31 August 2021, replacing Jane King. During the intervening period, the interim AHDB CEO will be Ken Boyns, AHDB Chief Finance, and Operations Officer.

RUCIP European Committee -  the organisation that looks after the rules and practices of the Inter-European Trade in Potatoes - has a new internal organisation and new leadership.

Until December 31, 2020 the North-western European Potato Growers (NEPG) was a 5 country organization, but the organization started 2021 without the British AHDB. Also, Victor Pfaff stepped down as NEPG secretary and is replaced by Daniel Ryckmans.