PW-ACTUA Gerard Backx of HZPC: ‘Food should not be used as a political weapon’ During the recently-held week-long potato show, HZPC CEO Gerard Backx sketched the current developments in the world of seed potatoes. He did this before a group of international guests from 29 different countries. In his talk, he dealt at great length with the problems in the Middle East and the republic of Syria in particular. ‘Politics shouldn’t use food as a political weapon’, Backx emphasised. He also paid tribute to the ‘HZPC Potato Person of the Year’, who happened to be a woman this year. ‘A great deal has happened in 2013. The economic recession in Europe and the USA is stabilising and there’s even a slight recovery. What we see is that the recession hasn’t really touched the food industry. There are, however, enormous consequences for banks and international payments. This has a strong influence on trade with countries in the Middle East and Syria in par‘We as HZPC continue to deliver seed potatoes to Syria, despite opposition from the Unites States and various Dutch and European banks’, is CEO Gerard Backx’s forthright assertion. ticular. We as HZPC continue to deliver seed potatoes to Syria, despite opposition from the Unites States and various Dutch and European banks. These banks are being influenced by the policy of the Americans, or, in other words: the politics of President Obama. This means in practical terms that, with some banks, we cannot arrange for international payments from countries such as Syria. We see it as our duty to continue to deliver seed potatoes to Syria, however, so that the population is able to grow its own food,’ is the opinion of the HZPC director. Moreover, Backx is disturbed by the fact that food as a political weapon is too often an item on the agenda. ‘This applies to Syria, but also to countries such as India, China and a number of African countries, where there are political obstacles or high import levies that limit trade. I honestly think that politicians and banks should keep away from using food as a political weapon. Crop farming would then flourish and fewer people would suffer from a shortage of food. If the world really wants to feed 9 billion people in the near future, we must, of course, improve the technological side of food production, but more important is to guarantee the freedom of the food markets and the freedom of the growers to determine themselves what they wish to purchase and sell, Backx explains with fervour. Potato Person of the Year After the speech followed farewells and tributes. After saying farewell to Pierre Huchette, for many years the French face of HZPC, Backx dwelt at great length on the election of the ‘HZPC Potato Person of the Year’. It was the fourth year running that the company from Friesland presented this award. And the honour was conferred to Dr Eugenia Banks from Canada this time. Backx described her as a ‘real potato person’ and a breeder specialist in heart and soul. As a potato specialist working for the Ministry of Agriculture of Ontario (OMAFRA), she enjoys her (widespread) teaching about the potato. Her book about problems with the cultivation and breeding of potatoes is a real bestseller there. In addition, she is responsible for the largest HZPC potato trial field in Canada. ● Roland Peerenboom, the new managing director of KWS Potato From 1 March 2014, Roland Peerenboom will be the new managing director of KWS Potato BV in Nagele. Given his considerable international and management experience, KWS is confident that Peerenboom will be able to raise KWS Potato to a new level. After his studies at Nyenrode University, Peerenboom took a Master’s degree course at the University of South Carolina-Columbia (USA). In 1982, Peerenboom started his career at Shell International, where he held various financial and commercial positions. In 1987, he moved to Nutricia, undertaking various Roland Peerenboom, the new managing director of KWS Potato management roles, mainly abroad. Here, he built up professional organisations in various countries and he was responsible for the integration of acquired businesses and enterprises, and he also started up and organised new branches abroad. In 1999, Peerenboom entered the sowing seed world. At Enza, he branched out from commercial director to general manager. During this period, the company entered into various strategic alliances and bought several other companies, which resulted in rapid worldwide expansion. Peerenboom acquired an indepth understanding of the world of planting stock during this time and was actively involved in the transition of the company from a local to a global player. In recent years, Peerenboom has been active as director and project manager for China and India at Greenport Holland. Here, he mainly focused on the development of new markets for the Dutch horticultural sector. Potato World 2014 • number 1 11 Pagina 10

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