Invitation by International Conference of Ministers of Agriculture to attend summit - 250 accompanying meetings for 100,000 trade visitors
Berlin, 5 December 2007 – The 100,000 trade visitors from all areas of agriculture and the food industry who are expected to attend the International Green Week Berlin 2008 will find a comprehensive programme of conferences on issues of particular interest to their industries. Between 18 and 27 January the programme will offer more than 250 conferences and meetings to accompany the trade show.
(опубликовано 11.12.2007)
International Conference of Ministers of Agriculture
The event formerly known as the East-West Agricultural Forum has been given a new name, reflecting the global nature of its subject matter. Federal Minister Horst Seehofer has invited his colleagues from the USA, Russia, China, India and France, as well as the EU Agricultural Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel, to Berlin to attend the main panel discussion at the International Conference of Ministers of Agriculture. This will take place on 19 January 2008 and will address the subject of "Global Competition for Agricultural Raw Materials". Parallel with this conference there will be a joint venture exchange offering opportunities for bi- and multilateral expert discussions.
Events at the International Conference of Ministers of Agriculture
A number of events will be taking place in the ICC Berlin on 18 January, accompanying the International Conference of Ministers of Agriculture. These will include an agricultural policy symposium: "Consumer potentials in China and Russia" (9.30 a.m. – 1 p.m., ICC Berlin, Room 9), "Economic cooperation with Romania and Bulgaria following their accession to the EU" (10 a.m. - 12 noon, ICC Berlin, Room 6), the BVE event "The future of food supplies – Will there be a shortage of the agricultural raw materials used in food production?" (10 a.m. -12 noon, ICC Berlin, Hall 10), "Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (Caucasus)" (12 - 2 p.m., ICC Berlin, Hall 8), "Russia Forum" (2 – 4 p.m., ICC Berlin, Roof Garden Foyer), "Export market India" (2 – 4 p.m., ICC Berlin, Hall 10), "Quality standards, quality assurance and certification – South Eastern Europe and global competition" (2 – 4 p.m., ICC Berlin, Hall 4/5), "Land management – optimised use of natural resources" (2 – 4 p.m., ICC Berlin, Hall 7, Water scarcity and droughts: the challenges of water management (3 – 6 p.m., ICC Berlin, Hall 10), Ukraine Forum (46.30-6.30 p.m., ICC Berlin, Hall 6), China – agricultural market of the future (4.30-6.30 p.m., ICC Berlin, Hall 7).
28th International Agricultural Policy Forum
Under the heading of "Health check for the Common Agricultural Policy: How do we get fit for the future?" on 21 January (ICC Berlin, Hall 3) the German Farmers’ Association will be encouraging a debate about the future direction of the Common Agricultural Policy, which will be reviewed during the subsequent months in 2008. Outstanding speakers representing the EU, German government, science and the practical field will discuss the concerns of the industry and will also be available to answer questions from the public. For farmers in Germany and in Europe the Common Agricultural Policy health check scrutinises the promised reliability while at the same time providing an opportunity for reducing the level of bureaucracy and improving the competitiveness of individual businesses. Against the background of global markets the question also arises of how to provide future safeguards for the European "multifunctional" agricultural model.
Other forums being staged by the German Farmers’ Association
"The future of the milk market – politics and the market against the background of worldwide demand" is the theme of the International Dairy Farmers’ Congress on 22 January (1 to 5 p.m., ICC Berlin, Hall 3). The subject of "Pig production 2008 – ways out of the crisis" will be on the agenda on 23 January (12 to 4 p.m., ICC Berlin – Hall 4/5). "Quality assurance as a market instrument – challenge and chances for agriculture" will be discussed on 24 January (2 to 5 p.m., ICC Berlin – Hall 4/5). On 25 January experts will be participating in an event jointly organised by the DBV, VDL and BDZ to investigate "Blue tongue disease – are we properly prepared for 2008?" (12 to 3.30 p.m., ICC Berlin).
BVE/CMA foreign trade event "India"
India’s booming economy is leading to the creation of a significant middle class, characterised by growing purchasing power, an increasingly westernised lifestyle and a keen interest in foreign products. This offers promising conditions for the sale of German food products. With high tariffs and structural deficits India is not an easy place in which to do business, but early involvement can bring its rewards. It is only by maintaining a presence now that success can be achieved in the future. Long term planning and in-depth knowledge of the market are vital factors when seeking to effectively develop this market. The prospects offered by this market, and the risks involved, will be presented from a practical viewpoint at the Foreign Trade event being staged on 18 January by the National Association of the German Food Industry (BVE) and the CMA (Central Marketing Company of German Agriculture).
Our Village has a Future
Eight gold, 16 silver and ten bronze medals were awarded to entries to the 22nd national competition "Our Village has a Future". Of the 3,925 villages from 13 federal states that participated, 34 qualified at county, district and state level for this competition, which is organised by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). Federal Minister Seehofer will be presenting the certificates and medals to the winning villages on 25 January during the Green Week.
Forum on the future of rural development
On 22 and 23 January the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) will be staging its first Forum on the Future of Rural Development. This forum will provide a suitable setting for representatives of agriculture and the food industry, regional development and rural areas to learn about new developments and future measures. It will consist of two specialist forums dealing with aspects of rural development (22 Jan.) and a main event on 23 Jan., which will also serve as the closing congress of the BMELV series on "The future of rural areas", which was launched in October 2006 by Minister Seehofer.
International HDE Retail Forum
"Organic at the crossroads?" is the central issue of the International Retail Forum on 17 January at the ICC Berlin. This event is aimed at industry, trade and producers, and will feature discussions about the impact of globalisation and consumer confidence.
VZBV Consumer Policy Forum
"Is eating harming the climate? The link between food and the climate" is the subject of the consumer policy forum being staged by the consumer organisation Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (24 Jan., 2.30 to 6.30 p.m., ICC Berlin, Roof Garden Foyer). Agriculture and food are closely interlinked with climate change. Extreme weather conditions are already affecting yields and leading to price rises. At the same time our eating habits are also contributing to climate change. In Germany 20 per cent of total emissions of greenhouse gases are attributable to our eating habits. The Consumer Policy Forum is intended to clearly show the interconnections between agriculture, food and climate change, and to reveal possible courses of action. How can consumers adopt eating habits that benefit the climate? Would a climate protection label help in the choice of foods? What contribution can be made by agriculture and the food industry? These questions will be discussed by politicians and the representatives of science, agriculture, the food industry and consumer protection.
Up-to-date details about the conference programme at the Green Week 2008 can be found on the internet: www.gruenewoche.com / Events / Conferences
Additional details about the conferences referred to above:
Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMVEL): Wilhelmstrasse 54, 10117 Berlin, press spokeswoman: Ulrike Hinrichs, tel.: +49(0)30 2006 3170 fax: +49(0)30/2006 3179; e-mail: ulrike.hinrichs@bmelv.bund.de
Deputy press spokesman: Hubertus von der Goltz; tel.: +49(0)30 2006 3171 fax: +49(0)30/2006 3179; e-mail: hubertus.goltz@bmelv.bund.de, internet: www.verbraucherministerium.de
Deutscher Bauernverband e.V. (DBV): Claire-Waldoff-Str. 7, 10117 Berlin, press spokesman: Dr. Michael Lohse, tel.: +49(0)30 / 319 04 239, fax: +49(0)30/319 04 431; e-mail: presse@bauernverband.net, internet: www.bauernverband.de
Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Ernhrungsindustrie, e.V. (BVE): Claire-Waldoff-Str. 7, 10117 Berlin, general manager: Dr. Sabine Eichner Lisboa, tel.: +49(0)30/200786 151, fax: +49(0)30/200786 251; e-mail: seichner@bve-online.de, Internet: www.bve-online.de
Centrale Marketing-Gesellschaft der deutschen Agrarwirtschaft mbH (CMA): Berlin office, Littenstr. 10, 10179 Berlin, Franz-Martin Rausch, tel.: +49(0)30 847 200 100, fax: +49(0)30/847 200 202, e-mail: Franz.Rausch@cma.de, internet: www.cma.de
Hauptverband des deutschen Einzelhandels e.V. (HDE): Am Weidendamm 1 A, 10117 Berlin, Stephan Tromp, tel.: +49(0)30 / 72 62 50 71, fax: +49(0)30 / 72 62 50 79, e-mail: tromp@hde.de
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