Company News

III International Symposium on Carrot and other Apiaceae announce their Gold Sponsor

The III International Symposium on Carrot and other Apiaceae is coming to York, England on Monday 2^nd October – Thursday 5^th October 2023. The event is hosted by British Growers Ltd and the University of Warwick, on behalf of the International Society for Horticultural Science and is set to be another excellent event. With great excitement the Symposium organisers can announce that Vilmorin Mikado are a Gold event sponsor.

Present on the 5 continents, Vilmorin-Mikado is a unique Franco-Japanese seed company with a long history and strong roots in Europe and Asia. As a pioneer in carrots, Vilmorin-Mikado completes its range with more typologies, colors, and sustainable solutions. Vilmorin-Mikado now offers a full and dynamic range of solutions for all markets of the carrot chain reinforcing its position of world carrot leader.  Vilmorin-Mikado has a team of passionate experts which are close to the customer markets and committed to developing the best innovative varieties to help better nourish people everywhere.

Coral Clark, British Growers Association comments that “Vilmorin-Mikado are a key industry leader, their addition to the event as a Gold Sponsor adds another level of distinction to the Symposium. We look forward to collectively bringing you the prestigious international event.”

The Symposium entitled “a taste of things to come” will involve a series of sessions showcasing the most recent scientific findings and technical advances in the Carrot and Apiaceae community, and will involve scientific, technical and industry speakers from across the global carrot research and growing community.  The event will also host a large trade exhibition and allow plenty of networking opportunities. The evenings will offer a variety of celebratory dinners held at venues around the historic city of York. On Thursday 5^th October the Symposium is joining forces with the British Carrot Growers Association and offering delegates a chance to visit the annual Carrot Demonstration Day.

III International Symposium on Carrot and other Apiaceae event countdown

The III International Symposium on Carrot and other Apiaceae is coming to York, England on Monday 2^nd October – Thursday 5^th October 2023. The event is hosted by British Growers Ltd and the University of Warwick, on behalf of the International Society for Horticultural Science and will build on the excellent precedents set by the two very successful previous Symposia in Poland and France.

“We are so pleased that the UK has the opportunity to host this prestigious event, the event will be one not to be missed. We will have the platform to showcase the fantastic research that our Universities, Research Organisations and growers are involved in.”

Jack Ward, CEO British Growers Association

The Symposium entitled “a taste of things to come” taking place at York racecourse will showcase the most recent scientific findings and technical advances in the Carrot and Apiaceae community and will involve scientific, technical and industry speakers from across the global carrot research and growing community.

The Scientific Committee, led by Rosemary Collier of the University of Warwick, has shaped the programme of topics for the two days of seminars. The scientific papers that have been submitted have been assessed by the global members of the scientific committee and are being finalised ahead of the Symposium.

“We have had an excellent array of papers submitted, the research topics ranging from new approaches to crop production and crop protection (pests, diseases and weeds) to crop genetics/genomics and breeding focused on a number of different traits.  There will also be consideration of consumer preferences and impacts on their health. We look forward to presenting these speakers and posters to you at the symposium”

Professor Rosemary Collier, The University of Warwick

Echoing our theme, “a taste of things to come,” the Symposium promises not only intellectual nourishment but also delectable culinary experiences. We are thrilled to present exclusive celebratory dinners at two remarkable locations steeped in York’s history. Our first dinner will be set within the grandeur of The Guildhall, followed by a second evening at the iconic Merchant Adventurers’ Hall.

In continuation of tradition, our formal proceedings will culminate in a Gala Dinner, a significant highlight from past Symposia. Set against the backdrop of the York Racecourse, the Gala will deliver a memorable evening with an esteemed after-dinner speaker and an exciting awards ceremony.

On the final day of the Symposium, the event is joining forces with the British Carrot Growers Association and offering delegates a chance to visit the annual British Carrot Demonstration Day. The demonstration day showcases new and emerging carrot varieties and agronomy trials, the event is a prime event in the UK carrot grower’s calendar.

Tickets for the 3-day Symposium are available to purchase on our event website.

Already announced as sponsors are Elsom Seeds, Bejo and Vilmorin- Mikado, our fantastic sponsors who are working with our team to create a one-of-a-kind event for the delegates. The event will also host a large trade exhibition and allow plenty of networking opportunities, the list of exhibitors can be found on the event website. If you and your company would be interested in exhibiting or sponsoring the event, please see our website for more details: carrotsymposium.com

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This June, British Summer Fruits, the industry body that represents 95% of all the UK’s commercial soft fruit growers, is relaunching and rebranding to become British Berry Growers.

Since 1992, the UK’s crop association for the soft fruit industry has supported UK growers to build a billion-pound industry and the largest within UK horticulture.

British Berry Growers’ ambition is for British seasonal berries to continue to provide 100% of the UK’s needs and for industry exports to be 50% bigger than British sales volumes by 2035.

The new organisation will have four key effort priorities:

• To ensure understanding of the British berry industry’s positive contribution to a sustainable rural economy and the nation’s health, and shape government policy to support British Berry Growers’ mission
• To direct world-leading berry research and development that supports treatment of pest and disease, crop utilisation and drives future efficiencies, including the reduction of the carbon, waste and water footprint of the UK berry industry
• To grow sales for berries by building UK consumer awareness and advocacy, focusing on British berries first and driving overall consumer demand by covering 52 weeks of the year
• To identify and tackle the industry’s key risks to ensure its long-term viability and to provide issues support for UK berry growers

Commenting on the launch of British Berry Growers, chair Nick Marston said: “The launch of British Berry Growers marks an exciting moment for the British berry industry.

“The British berry industry is a true British business success story. Now worth over £1.6 billion year-round, the value of the industry has doubled in just a decade. Our growers sit at the heart of the rural economy and our industry is recognised as a key contributor to UK food self-sufficiency.

“British Berry Growers will champion the tireless work of our berry growers, both big and small, and support them as they adapt to the future challenges of seasonal berry production. We’re here to secure the long-term success of the British berry industry.”

The creation of British Berry Growers brings with it the launch of a new dedicated R&D advisory board. Its purpose will be to enable British Berry Growers to become recognised as one of the best crop associations in the world technically and environmentally.

The evolution of the trade body also sees the appointment of two new non-executive directors to the British Berry Growers organisation. Former MEP Anthea McIntyre CBE joins the organisation to advise and support the organisation on policy matters, while Dr Louise Sutherland brings her years of expertise in agri-tech to scope and set up the newly formed R&D advisory board.

British Berry Growers will continue to fund Love Fresh Berries, the organisation’s all year-round PR and social media campaign to promote strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries and  all berry industry activities.