Hear from high-level speakers including representatives from the FAO, the European Union, national and regional authorities, and leading figures in the potato industry about the global importance of potatoes:

• Opening speech on the importance of the International Day of Potato

  • Raschad Al-Khafaji, Director of FAO Brussels - Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium

• Poland's Prominent role in potato production & Achievements of the Polish Presidency

  • Czeslaw Siekierski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland

• EU Vision for Agriculture and Food & The future of potato production in Europe

  • Ricard Ramon, Head of Unit - Policy Perspectives (A.1), DG AGRI, European Commission

Enhancing Competitiveness of the Potato Value Chain through Sustainable Practices, Appropriate Regulatory Framework and ensuring Food Security.

Moderated by Rose O'Donovan

Panellists:

• Elisabet Nadeu, Senior Policy Analyst, Institute for European Environmental Policy (EEP)

• Tigran Richter, President of European Potato Trade Association (Europatat)

• Erwin Pardon, President of European Potato Processors' Association (EUPPA)

• Geoffroy d'Evry, President of Union Nationale des Producteurs de Pommes de Terre (UNPT) (France) and Chairman of Copa-Cogeca Working Party on Potatoes

• Michal Kicinski, Senior Sustainable Agriculture Manager (CropLife Europe)

• Anneleen Touquet, Pepsico
• Peter Vos, Agristo
• Peter Ton, Royal HZPC
• Kurt De Nys, Warnez
• Gerben Meursing, Starch Europe

From seed to plate, explore an interactive exhibit showcasing actions taken by actors in the potato supply chain to support the sustainable transition and ensure the continued supply of high-quality products to the European market and globally.

This experience will be held in conjunction with a networking cocktail reception, offering a unique opportunity to connect with industry peers while discovering innovative practices driving sustainability across the entire value chain.