Feedback on Agchem Forum 2008

A real buzz at Agchemforum, part of the Chemical Industries Regulations (CIR) series of events Photo: Ryan Thomas

Informative, comprehensive, topical, intense and controversial - just some of the words delegates used to sum up this years Agchem Forum 2008.

This year's conference began with a highly charged session which examined the potential impact of the draft regulation and addressed the challenges of designing a policy that balances demand for food and safe use of pesticides in Europe.

Opening plenary panel session. Speakers, from left: Herman Fontier, EFSA; Mrs Hennicot Schoepges, European Parliament; Richard Davis, PSD; Hiltrud Breyer, European Parliament and Dominic Dyer, Crop Protection Association UK Photo: Ryan Thomas

With speakers representing those driving the regulatory reforms and those directly impacted by the proposals, our chairman Terry Tooby certainly had his work cut out ensuring that all speakers were given an opportunity to put forward their views during the panel session.

There were plenty of questions for our panellists before time run out, so if you were at the session but did not have the opportunity to voice your opinion, please post a comment to share your thoughts.

Following the morning coffee break, the event then split into three sessions: Human Risk Assessments, Environmental Risk Assessments and Regulation of PPPs and MRL Regulation.

Drinks at CIR: The glasses did not stay full for long! Photo: Ryan Thomas

Within the Human Risk Assessment stream, endocrine disruptors again proved to be a subject of much debate along, with all of the talks that dealt with Cumulative Risk Assessments.

For the Environmental stream, the recent publication of EFSA guidance on birds and mammals ensured that the session on the new guidance and panel on addressing failure rates were met with much enthusiasm.

Croc meat anyone? Photo: kevinzim/sxc

Finally, in the PPP Regulation stream, it wasn't surprising to find that delegates were keen to get the latest information on all of the subjects associated with the new proposed regulation.

The new day on MRLs also proved popular. I learnt something new as before, sitting in on the session. Any sentence which had contained the words "crocodile" and "safety" would have instantly made me think about sharp teeth and nasty bites rather than MRL considerations of their meat!

Also new for this year's was the launch of our new exhibition, Chemicals Industries Regulations (CI), to run alongside Agchem Forum and the other events in this series.

Marie, Sarah and Lucy make sure you get the 2009 dates in your diary nice and early! Photo: Ryan Thomas

Our exhibitors reported a busy few days (with both delegates and exhibitors enjoying the networking drinks in the exhibition area at the end of day one.

Next year sees the conference and exhibition leaving Berlin to take residence in Barcelona. The dates have been set for 23-24 September, so we hope to see you there!