Fulvio Berton is to be appointed as De Ruiter Seeds' new regional manager for South Europe, with effect from 1 July 2008.

Mr Berton has extensive experience in the vegetable seeds business, having started his career in 1983 as technical advisor to vegetable growers in north-east Italy after graduating from the Technical Agriculture Institute of Castelfranco Veneto.

"Mr Berton's long experience in the business and in management will be a big asset for De Ruiter Seeds' future," said a spokesperson for the company.

In 1989 he joined S&G (now part of Syngenta) and covered several positions in the field of fruit crops, including product manager, managing director of S&G Italy and marketing director EMEA.

Since 2005, Mr Berton has worked as global crop unit leader for the solanacea crops.

Gianni Bernardotto, marketing & sales director of De Ruiter Seeds, welcomed he appointment: "I am very pleased that Fulvio will join De Ruiter Seeds and will contribute to further strengthen the business in the southern region of Europe."