^DETAILS

.

FOOD QUALITY, SUPPLY AND STORAGE

The demand from consumer, retailer and environmentalist in developed markets is to minimise the use of crop protection whilst maintaining quality and yield. It is therefore timely to re-evaluate the benefits and issues of herbicide inputs and their position in Integrated Crop Management (ICM) production.

University Professor Dick Oliver (University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, USA), internationally recognised in the area of weed biology, ecology and competition and Mr Alistair Leake (Focus on Farming Practice, Leicester, UK) who together with two speakers from across the food chain will discuss what they want from weed control now and in the future to meet the demands of supplying quality produce.

Chairman: Mr B Hilborn (J Sainsbury plc, London, UK)
Session Organiser: Mr M Gibbard (Zeneca Crop Protection, Haslemere, UK)

  Back

REGULATORY CHALLENGES: REGIONAL ISSUES - GLOBAL SOLUTIONS?

The major regulatory issues to be faced during 1999 and into the millennium include the Food Quality Protection Act in the USA and the implementation of a new EU Regulation concerning the extension of the programme for the review of existing active ingredients. These issues, although regional in origin, have a more global impact. It is within this context, that harmonisation efforts by the OECD are of major importance.

Invited speakers in this session include Dr Chris Wilkinson (JSC International, Washington, USA), Mr Darren Flynn (Pesticides Safety Directorate, York, UK) Dr Nicola Grandy (OECD, Paris, France) and Dr Bernhard Johnen (Zeneca Agrochemicals, Haslemere, UK) who will address the current status of these issues, their likely development and future impact.

Chairman & Session Organiser: Dr B Thomas (AgrEvo Ltd, Chesterford Park, UK)

  Back

ORGANIC FARMING: NEW SOLUTIONS TO OLD PROBLEMS

At present, the rise in consumer demand for organic food is phenomenal. As a result the organic agricultural sector is expanding at a very rapid rate. This is matched by a surge of research activity in organic farming systems.

This session will present research examining novel methods and improved strategies for weed control. This will include cultural and management practices which minimise interference from weeds, so maintaining crop yield and quality.

This session complements Platform Session 9A.

Session Organiser: Dr M Lennartsson (Henry Doubleday Research Association, Coventry, UK)

  Back

CHANGING WORLD MARKETS - IMPLICATIONS FOR WEED CONTROL

This session will review the current and possible changes in world markets for commodity arable products and will discuss how these may affect weed management practices which meet both consumer and environmental requirements. Dr Mark Loux (Ohio State University, Columbus, USA) will describe how the changes in crops and cropping in the USA is affecting weed management and discuss the impact of new developments, such as herbicide tolerance. Mr Simon Ward (Bidwells, Cambridge, UK) will detail the changes in agriculture in Eastern Europe and the possible changes in weed control that will be required.

The changes in support systems and the effect on arable crop production in the EU will be described by Ms Kate Timms (MAFF, London, UK) and the implications for weed control will be described by Mr Jim Orson (Morley Research Centre, Wymondham, UK).

Chairman: Dr P Biscoe (Home Grown Cereals Authority, London, UK)
Session Organiser: Mr J Orson (Morley Research Centre, Wymondham, UK)

  Back