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International Year of the Potato Endorsed October 18, 2007 |
Prince Edward Island, Canada
New World Potato Congress (WPC) Leadership Welcomes the International Year of the Potato - IYP
Allan Parker, well-known Canadian potato grower and industry developer has been chosen to lead the World Potato Congress (WPC) as its President. Mr. Parker extended congratulatory comments and a commitment of support to the 2008 International Year of the Potato organizers. “The WPC strongly supports the United Nation’s decision to celebrate the IYP, which recognizes the strategic importance of this highly productive crop,” said Parker.
“We at the World Potato Congress fully endorse recognition of the vital role played by the potato across the globe,” he commented. In the 1960’s less than 20 percent of potatoes were grown in Developing Countries. Since 2006, more than half the world’s potatoes are grown there, contributing increasingly as a healthy food staple and as base material for a thriving and rapidly expanding processing industry. There continue to be vast opportunities for expansion of production in these needy areas of the world. Mr Parker indicated that the WPC will further emphasise its global nature and seek opportunities to bring together experiences throughout the industry to give new entrepreneurs access to the latest techniques and management approaches.
In the context of IYP, the WPC has organized an international potato tour covering Australian and New Zealand's industry. This exciting event is scheduled to take place in February of 2008. It is a unique opportunity for potato growers and others to examine alternate approaches to potato cultivation and growth.
“As President of the World Potato Congress I look forward to the opportunity to dialogue with many of my peers throughout the coming year,” affirmed Mr. Parker. “In particular I anticipate my participation in the XXIII ALAP – Asociacion Latinoamericana de la Papa in Argentina next Fall. I’m pleased to note that this significant event has been endorsed by IYP organizers.”
World Potato Congress Inc. is a non-profit organization supported by a group of volunteer directors representing potato jurisdictions around the world. It is a premier networking organization, which has global reach and creates meaning for its membership by creating links of communication and information sharing throughout the world potato community.
WPC Inc. is the world’s largest convener of potato industry related specialists, from research to technology implementation, and representing the full scope of the potato marketing chain. WPC participants have a wealth of experience and expertise in seed production, ware production, storage, processing, packaging, market presentation, and the machinery and equipment, research and communications that support these.
Since 1993, WPC Inc. has successfully presented Congress events in Canada, The United Kingdom, South Africa, The Netherlands, China and the USA. At each of these international gatherings WPC provided a synthesis of recent developments and the future direction of the industry.
The next World Potato Congress will be held in 2009.
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For further information contact:
Tel: 902-368-8885
Fax: 902-628-2225
Email: info@potatocongress.org