FruitVegetablesEUROPE (EUCOFEL), the European Association representing the EU fruit and vegetables producers and exporters at European level, was honoured to organise its Annual General Assembly on 15th March 2019, in Warsaw (Poland).
The General Assembly and Event 2019, were dedicated to the future of the European Fruit and Vegetables sector. Political aspects like the future of the CAP and the CMO, as well as trade opportunities in China, Fruit Attraction 2019 and Innovation & Research played a key role in the debates.
During the general Assembly meeting, FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s members welcomed two new members: +Brócoli Spain and Stowarzyszenie promocji brokuła Poland. Among other important matters, the General Assembly also presented the Activity report 2018 and adopted its Roadmap for 2019. In 2019, FruitVegetablesEUROPE will continue defending and promoting the fruit and vegetables produced in the EU. Monitoring the Future of the CAP, the CMO, the Brexit, the EU Trade negotiations with 3rd countries, the implementation of the UTP directive and establishing a close relationship with the new European Parliament and European Commission would be the key priorities for this year.
FruitVegetablesEUROPE also presented to the Assembly and public its European multi-country promotion programme: “CuTE – Cultivating the Taste of Europe” (2019 – 2021).
The Event, ”Political debate, Trade opportunities and Innovation & Research Forum”, gathered high-level speakers of the fruit and vegetables sector, the European institutions, the EU Member States and relevant agro-industry companies. Mr Phil HOGAN (Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development) and Mr Petre DAEA (Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Romania) participated in FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s meeting through a video message.
President Juan MARÍN and Vice-President Witold BOGUTA opened the political debate: The CAP Post-2021 Reform. What challenges and opportunities for the EU fruit and vegetables sector? The first discussion focused on “The EU Fruit and vegetables sector: a key sector for the EU agriculture”. The round table included high-level speakers: Mrs Clara AGUILERA (EP, Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Vice-Chair), Mr Czesław SIEKIERSKi (EP, Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Chair) and Marian BOREK (Ministry of Agriculture, Poland).
The morning session concluded with two presentations on “Market Opportunities in China: access to market, challenges and opportunities for the EU fruit and vegetables companies”, delivered by Pablo RECIO (F&B expert, EU SME CENTRE China) and “FRUIT ATTRACTION 2019: presentation of the FA2019 edition” by Raúl CALLEJA (Managing Director, FRUIT ATTRACTION, IFEMA).
The afternoon session started with FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s Innovation & Research Forum 2019, titled “Innovation and Research: a key element for the EU fruit and vegetables sector success”. The Innovation & Research Forum 2019 focused on key features regarding the state of play, the strategy and the challenges for the fruit and vegetables sector. The Forum also discussed on food safety, quality, sustainability and food security in a global context.
The first panel included representatives from the production side, including: Laurent BERGÉ (President, Tomato & Cucumber from France), Michal LACHOWICZ (President, La SAD, Member of the Board KZGPOiW), Fernando GÓMEZ (General Manager, PROEXPORT, Spain), Karym BAGOEE & Marie-Ena JAKOBY KOALY (UGPBAN, Guadeloupe & Martinique, France), Federico PASSARELLI (CSO, Italy) and Rita BISERNI (ALEGRA Soc. Coop. Ag, Italy).
The seed business, the agro-industrial business and the control body (certification and inspection) were also well represented with Javier BERNABÉU (Managing Director, Sakata Seed Iberica), Cezary URBAN (Head of agricultural solutions, BAFS Poland), Alberto ANCORA (Head of Business Management Agricultural Solutions South Europe) and Luis Miguel FERNÁNDEZ SIERRA (General Manager, COEXPHAL / AGROCOLOR, Spain).
FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s members and participants were delighted to take part in a Tasting of Polish Apples, including fresh apples, apple juice and apple energy drinks.
For more informaton:
Alba Ridao-Bouloumié
Tel.: +32 2 721 7288
E-mail: eucofel@eucofel.org