Press Release - Thursday 4th March 2010
Unique crop production event launched in London
A new internationally-recognised, cutting-edge crop production congress and exhibition focusing on the business, trade, science and technology of sustainable global food production is being launched in London today.
CropWorld, which is being organised by United Business Media (UBM) and the British Crop Production Council (BCPC), will be held on an annual basis, with the first such event, CropWorld 2010, taking place at ExCeL, London from 1st – 3rd November 2010. UBM will use its experience in overseas markets to complement and build on the annual CropWorld conference and exhibition by running local events targeted at specialist crops and markets in different regions of the world.
The only event of its kind in the world to embrace all aspects of crop production, CropWorld 2010 has drawn on internationally-recognised experts to develop a top-quality, content-rich conference programme, which will feature leading speakers from around the world and address a wide range of issues. Global food security, climate change, environmental and regulatory factors affecting crop production, the future for GM crops, agrochemicals, fertilisers, seeds and crop nutrients, water utilisation and irrigation are just some of the topics which will be addressed. The conference will also highlight the role of food retailers and producers, new products, compounds and approaches, the future for post-patent manufacturers, pesticide application and formulation, storage machinery, new technology, together with the policy and politics of crop production.
Speaking at the launch of CropWorld 2010 Claire Tulloch, Conference Director for UBM Conferences, stated:
“The need to increase global food production in a sustainable manner has never been greater, yet there is currently no large-scale international congress which addresses a broad range of crop production issues from seed to supermarket.
“During the next 20 years the world’s population is predicted to rise from 6.3 billion to more than 9.0 billion, leading to a 50% increase in demand for food, 50% in the case of energy and 30% for water, which will be compounded by peoples’ demand for higher standards of living. Conversely, the current land area suitable for farming is being lost rapidly due to erosion, urbanisation and desertification, while catastrophic water shortages are becoming increasingly frequent in key crop producing areas such as Australia and annual increases in crop yields through advances in plant breeding technology have levelled off after 60 years of growth. Additionally, there is growing environmental resistance to rainforest deforestation, climate change is an increasing challenge and more land is being used to produce crops for non-food uses, such as fuel, pharmaceuticals and industrial processes.
“The organisers’ vision is that that, as an annual event, CropWorld will provide a unique educational and networking opportunity for all those engaged in the increasingly complex world of global food production, including top-end producers, those responsible for researching/purchasing safe, sustainable produce and ingredients, policy and decision makers, researchers and scientists, advisers and consultants, economists and industry specialists. It will enable delegates to share their experiences and views about the way ahead for this key industry as it endeavours to meet the increasing global demand for food, against a backdrop of increasing competition for scarce resources, rising costs and increasing constraints on water and energy.
“Thirty-four exhibitors have already confirmed that they will be attending CropWorld 2010 and given the current level of demand we anticipate that the 800 m² of exhibition space which has been booked so far will be comfortably exceeded. The event is expected to attract 2000 visitors from all over the world.”
Speaking at the launch, Jim Orson of BCPC, added:
“CropWorld builds on the foundations and heritage of the former British Crop Production Council Congress, which was successfully resurrected during 2009 in Glasgow by a partnership of UBM and the BCPC. However, it significantly extends its remit in terms of content and international appeal, the name having been very carefully selected to reflect the global nature of the event and the fact that it encapsulates the entire spectrum of sustainable crop production. The aim is to create maximum benefit to visitors, exhibitors and sponsors by delivering a world-class event which showcases the latest ideas, technology, techniques and crop intelligence.”
Also speaking at the launch was Lord Taylor of Holbeach, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who said, “I welcome this opportunity to support CropWorld. This is exactly the right time for an event such as this at a good venue and on a global scale. CropWorld will provide a magnificent vehicle for all those involved in this industry from growers through to all the supportive trades and organisations”.
Further details are available from Claire Tulloch, Conference Director, UBM Conferences. Tel +44 (0)20 7955 3938, email claire.tulloch@ubm.com or go to www.crop-world.com
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
ABOUT UBM
United Business Media Limited is a leading global business media company which informs markets and brings the world’s buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print and provides them with the information they need to do business successfully. UBM focuses on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Its 6500 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.
UBM Conferences operates internationally across all UBM’s divisions to bring its unrivalled content and thought leadership to marketers and business professionals across a wide range of markets. Although only recently launched, UBM Conferences already has an impressive programme of over 80 events covering the Construction and Architecture, Licensed Trade, Ingredients, Security, Health & Safety, Travel and Call Centre/CRM markets.
Further details are available at www.ubm.com
ABOUT BCPC
BCPC promotes the use of good science and technology in the understanding and application of effective and sustainable crop production. BCPC is a Registered Charity and a Company limited by Guarantee.
Its key objectives are to:
• Identify developing issues in the science and practice of crop protection and production, and provide informed, independent analysis and views on these to opinion formers, government and the public
• Publish definitive information for growers, advisors and other stakeholders in the food, fuel and fibre production chain, in the form of reference works, manuals and handbooks
• Organise and co-host conferences and symposia to provide platforms for the reporting and debate of scientific relevant results and opinion
• Contribute to the future of UK (bio) science by providing publications for schools which stimulate interest and learning
Further details are available at www.bcpc.org