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08 October 2004 BCPC Seminars programme set to be a success Following the great success of last year's BCPC Congress in Glasgow, this year's innovative departure from a traditional conference, to a series of six individual seminars, based on three themes, looks to offer delegates a highly informative and participative two and a half days from 1 to 3 November 2004. "Organising this year's Seminars has been an exciting challenge," explains Dr Terry Clark, programme committee chairman. "The new format brings together some very important aspects of crop production such as food, including safety and health and well-being, water, minimising inputs and biotechnology. A further innovation is the EU seminar which will present results from EU sponsored projects that cut across all aspects of the topics covered by the other seminars." Crop protection and production theme There is an overwhelming need to produce enough food at the right price to enable both the grower and consumer to prosper. These seminars will consider the issues and look at the key practical and current research areas involved. "There is great potential to lower input requirements by the manipulation of crop plants," explains Dr Clark, "This has some really exciting implications for lowering human and environmental exposure to chemical agents. However there are risks associated with reducing rates and some of the scientific research being outlined in this seminar along with the potential for engineered crops should help to guide us on this issue." EU-funded research The EU-funded research seminar will provide delegates with an unique opportunity to gain valuable insight into the research areas which the European Commission consider to be of sufficient significance to provide funding. It should also show the breadth of the commission's interest which cuts across all of the themes at this year’s BCPC Seminars. Food focus Today the public's knowledge and understanding of food issues is much higher than it has been and as a result there are constant demands for safe, nutritional, good quality food at affordable prices – a real challenge for all stakeholders in the food chain. "We have a number of international experts to bring delegates up-to-date with current issues of debate and concern," says Dr Clark. "The key interests will cover food safety and contamination, food related allergies and how we can positively influence the eating habits of children. Our aim is for these food seminars to conclude that food is safe to eat despite what the media might portray. We also expect to have a stimulating and thought provoking forum on the importance of educating children about the advantages of a well balanced diet and the need for the correct diet for good health and well-being." Water, water, everywhere The water seminar will be a must for all water experts. The programme will flow through from a global dimension, into a European perspective and then consider the impact of this at a country level using the UK as an example. "Water is essential to all of us to sustain life," explains Dr Clark. "The water seminar will be considering how sustainable water and sustainable agriculture fit together. The talk by Patrick Murphy from the Environment Directorate at the European Commission, should be particularly fascinating as he raises the question, Can European legislation deliver both sustainable water and sustainable agriculture? The introduction of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) has been a major legislative initiative, and speakers will explain how water quality is being improved by the Voluntary Initiative (VI) scheme." The BCPC Seminars – Crop Science & Technology and accompanying BCPC Exhibition runs from 1 to 3 November 2004 at the SECC, Glasgow, UK. For further information contact BCPC on +44 (0)1420 593200, Email: lizzy.white@bcpc.org or visit the Seminars 2004 |
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