20th EAPR Triennial Conference Versailles, France, 9-14 July 2017

POTATO FACING GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Take the opportunity to exchange on the advances in potato research where the very first promotion of the crop occurred in France!

For the third time since the creation of the EAPR, France is honoured to welcome the 20th Triennial Conference of the European Association for Potato Research. After Brest in 1969, Paris in 1993, we have chosen a place of exception to celebrate the 60th birthday of our Association that is Versailles.

The Congress Center of Versailles is located just a few meters away from the world-famous “Château” and its splendid gardens.

In this royal town, Antoine-Augustin Parmentier launched 330 years ago the first promotional actions for the development of potato production in France. A few centuries later, potato has become the third most human consumed food crop in the world after rice and wheat. Potato surfaces and total production are still increasing globally. This illustrates how the potato crop has become vital all over the world!

Today, with worldwide population increase and environmental constraints, Potato (is) facing global challenges! But the crop still has many valuable resources to face the future!

The Conference aims to look ahead by providing sustainable solutions and determining in the medium term the top priority areas. Within this scope, the Organising Committee is expecting a large and diversified range of participants. Whether you are involved in fundamental or applied research, in extension or technical activities or from private companies covering the whole potato sectors, your contribution will be much appreciated.

Therefore, the latest innovative knowledge and research will be highlighted such as integration of genomic advances, integrated Pest Management scheme, improvement of Decision Support Systems and Precision Agriculture for more cost effective or sustainable practices, safer and healthier products for consumers and environment….

To optimise communication, the participants will enjoy an ideal site. The Congress Center in Versailles provides up-to-date facilities for oral presentations and interpersonal exchanges. Its size and configuration are well adapted to provide participants with great opportunities of exchanges and networking. These will be pursued during the scientific and professional excursions where participants will be given the opportunity to discover the different facets of the French potato sector in their original environment.

The social program will also give you a glimpse of French traditions.

The Conference is organised by ARVALIS-Institut du végétal with the support of the inter-professional organisations of the entire French potato sector (CNIPT, GIPT, GNIS-FN3PT) and the collaboration of the French national institute for agricultural research (INRA).

The Organising Committee is composed of members from various French scientific and technical institutions and/or private companies including ARVALIS-Institut du végétal, INRA, FN3PT, SIPRE and GERMICOPA.

A large choice of accommodation has been pre-registered within a walking distance of the Congress Center and along the railway line between Versailles and Paris in order to facilitate your attendance to the Conference.

But keep in mind that Versailles is very popular and that many tourists will visit especially in July when the Conference will occur!

A regular visit to the website will keep you informed of the agenda and how to register in the best conditions. Better still, stay up-to-date by signing up to the Newsletter in the front page of this website.