CropWorld, which is being organised by United Business Media (UBM) and the British Crop Production Council (BCPC), will be held on an annual basis, with the first such event, CropWorld 2010, taking place at ExCeL, London from 1st – 3rd November 2010. UBM will use its experience in overseas markets to complement and build on the annual CropWorld conference and exhibition by running local events targeted at specialist crops and markets in different regions of the world.

The only event of its kind in the world to embrace all aspects of crop production, CropWorld 2010 has drawn on internationally-recognised experts to develop a top-quality, content-rich conference programme, which will feature leading speakers from around the world and address a wide range of issues. Global food security, climate change, environmental and regulatory factors affecting crop production, the future for GM crops, agrochemicals, fertilisers, seeds and crop nutrients, water utilisation and irrigation are just some of the topics which will be addressed. The conference will also highlight the role of food retailers and producers, new products, compounds and approaches, the future for post-patent manufacturers, pesticide application and formulation, storage machinery, new technology, together with the policy and politics of crop production.

Speaking at the launch of CropWorld 2010 Claire Tulloch, Conference Director for UBM Conferences, stated:

“The need to increase global food production in a sustainable manner has never been greater, yet there is currently no large-scale international congress which addresses a broad range of crop production issues from seed to supermarket.

“During the next 20 years the world’s population is predicted to rise from 6.3 billion to more than 9.0 billion, leading to a 50% increase in demand for food, 50% in the case of energy and 30% for water, which will be compounded by peoples’ demand for higher standards of living. Conversely, the current land area suitable for farming is being lost rapidly due to erosion, urbanisation and desertification, while catastrophic water shortages are becoming increasingly frequent in key crop producing areas such as Australia and annual increases in crop yields through advances in plant breeding technology have levelled off after 60 years of growth. Additionally, there is growing environmental resistance to rainforest deforestation, climate change is an increasing challenge and more land is being used to produce crops for non-food uses, such as fuel, pharmaceuticals and industrial processes.

“The organisers’ vision is that that, as an annual event, CropWorld will provide a unique educational and networking opportunity for all those engaged in the increasingly complex world of global food production, including top-end producers, those responsible for researching/purchasing safe, sustainable produce and ingredients, policy and decision makers, researchers and scientists, advisers and consultants, economists and industry specialists. It will enable delegates to share their experiences and views about the way ahead for this key industry as it endeavours to meet the increasing global demand for food, against a backdrop of increasing competition for scarce resources, rising costs and increasing constraints on water and energy.

“Thirty-four exhibitors have already confirmed that they will be attending CropWorld 2010 and given the current level of demand we anticipate that the 800 m² of exhibition space which has been booked so far will be comfortably exceeded. The event is expected to attract 2000 visitors from all over the world.”

Speaking at the launch, Jim Orson of BCPC, added:

“CropWorld builds on the foundations and heritage of the former British Crop Production Council Congress, which was successfully resurrected during 2009 in Glasgow by a partnership of UBM and the BCPC. However, it significantly extends its remit in terms of content and international appeal, the name having been very carefully selected to reflect the global nature of the event and the fact that it encapsulates the entire spectrum of sustainable crop production. The aim is to create maximum benefit to visitors, exhibitors and sponsors by delivering a world-class event which showcases the latest ideas, technology, techniques and crop intelligence.”

Also speaking at the launch was Lord Taylor of Holbeach, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who said, “I welcome this opportunity to support CropWorld.  This is exactly the right time for an event such as this at a good venue and on a global scale.  CropWorld will provide a magnificent vehicle for all those involved in this industry from growers through to all the supportive trades and organisations”.