European potato scientists meet in Scotland to discuss crop challenges

potato

“Pests and pathogens remain a major constraint to food security in a world where potato is rising in importance as a major food crop.

More than 100 potato scientists from all across Europe and beyond descended on Dundee to discuss crop pests and diseases that cost millions in annual losses to farmers and industry.

The European Association for Potato Research (EAPR) Pathology and Pests 2016 section meeting featured speakers from five continents, who described some of the main threats to potato crops in different parts of the world, to add context to European research and how it aligns with that of other nations worldwide.

Professor Ian Toth, a senior scientist at the James Hutton Institute and EAPR 2016 organising committee chair, said: “Pests and pathogens remain a major constraint to food security in a world where potato is rising in importance as a major food crop.

“It was great to catch up with all the latest research and engaging industry representatives at our event to share first-hand the advances in this exciting area.”

The opening lecture was delivered by Nicola Spence, Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer and Head of the National Plant Protection Organisation for the UK, on the UK’s response to European and International plant health matters, and coordinated initiatives on plant health in Europe.

Featuring a week of discussions, the event included a visit to Potatoes in Practice, and concluded with a workshop with Chinese delegates from the conference focussed on the mutual benefits of links between key potato scientists in Scotland and China.

The EAPR Pathology and Pests 2016 meeting was sponsored by the Scottish Society for Crop Research, James Hutton Limited, AHDB Potatoes, the British Society for Plant Pathology, McCain, Dundee & Angus Convention Bureau and Dundee City Council. Many thanks to Alison Lees, Sonia Humphris, Ian Toth and everyone involved for their efforts in organising the event.