The Global Potato Industry Event
Industry Interaction
Your chance to see the host industry in action!
All delegates have the opportunity to see the host industry in action thanks to:
• A trade exhibition in the main Congress venue (pm Sun 27th – pm Tue 29th May)
• An Industry interaction day (Wed 30th May)
Wednesday 30th May is when the host industry will be throwing open its doors, giving every delegate the chance to visit a selection of growers, breeders, packers/processors, retailers and scientific institutions, ensuring you see how the British potato industry works and can extend Congress themes into this practical context.
At the time of booking your Congress place, you can select your choice of tour theme - technical, commercial, seed or general. We'll do everything else, so on the day you'll be transported by coach to visit interesting sites across the host industry. Packed lunches will also be provided and there'll be industry experts on every coach to answer your questions.
Seed tour
A specialised look at Scotland’s highly successful seed potato industry, including leading research, breeding and production sites.
You’ll make four stops during this very informative day, including a session at SASA (see www.sasa.gov.uk), the Government research and science centre that oversees Scottish seed testing and certification, evaluates new varieties and helps protect plant health – including leading the fight to protect this high seed health region from non-indigenous pests and diseases. Other stops will include a selection of major commercial potato breeding and seed production sites, often in farm environments. If you’re interested in seed potatoes, this tour is not to be missed!
Technical tour
See why the British potato industry is at the forefront of scientific advances. This tour will include visits to key research facilities and farms showing examples of how research is being applied.
A packed day that includes visiting not only SASA (see description in Seed Tour), but also the world-renowned James Hutton Institute (see www.hutton.ac.uk). This centre works right at the top of the global agenda, tackling some of the world’s most challenging problems including the impact of climate change and threats to food and water security. It also had a long established track record of successful work on all aspects potato production and will be showcasing this to tour participants. During the day, you’ll also have the chance to see research in practice on at least one farm/seed production site.
Commercial/consumer tour
From field to fork – a tour looking at production, post-farm handling and packaging plus an opportunity to view cutting-edge retail presentation.
Capitalising on the UK’s global reputation for innovative potato handling and retail presentation, this tour will take you to the very heart of the process – from farms where the earliest 2012 crops will be nearing harvest and where later crops will be stored in specialist facilities, to packing facilities where crops are prepared for sale and retail sites where the public are encouraged to select specific varieties suited to their needs and to buy in quantities suited to specific meal occasions, as well as having a vast choice of fresh, chilled and frozen options. At some of the farm sites there’ll also be a variety of other organisations present to discuss all aspects of production from field to fork.
Flavours of the industry tour
A tour designed for those wanting a wider view of the potato industry in Scotland – from production to post-farm activity.
These tours aim to do exactly what the title of suggests – give you a real flavour of all aspects of the host industry. So, you’ll get to see farms, sites that store and process the crop and retail preparation and/or presentation. If any of the above tour options are too specialist for your needs, then this is the option to get feel for why the Scottish Industry is thriving and UK consumers love potatoes!
Book NOW!
The best tour routes are being filled first and are booking up very quickly. Book for the Congress – and choose your tour theme today to avoid missing out!
Please note that there are limited places for all tours. Booking early is the best way to help guarantee your place on your preferred tour. If your selected tour is already full, we will contact you to offer an alternative. All tour details subject to change without notice or compensation.
Packed lunch sponsor:
