A representative of the European Commission will be at this year’s Fruit Logistica to discuss the Common Market Organisation’s (CMO) proposed reform for fruit and vegetables.

Tomas Garcia Azcarate, head of the Commission’s department of agriculture and rural development will address delegates in a hall forum at the international exhibition in Berlin on Thursday, February 8 at 12pm.

According to Bernd Mönning of the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture & Consumer Protection, 2007 could be an important turning point for the global fresh produce industry.

Potential developments include further expansion of the European Union expansion, reforms in joint agricultural policies, further deregulation of the trade and the effects of global warming.

Mönning said the CMO’s proposal calls for modification, rather than drastic change, of the current industry regulations and the promotion of growers' organisations will remain a key element in maintaining successful production and marketing throughout the implementation of the reform.

On the list of developments is a crisis and risk-management system will be introduced to assist in avoiding and absorbing surplus fruit and vegetables.

In addition, a new system is being proposed in the processed fruit and vegetable and citrus fruit industries.

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