SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PACKAGE: THE 16TH FAIR OF PACKAGING, PACKING TECHNIQUES, LOGISTICS, TRADE AND MARKET COMMUNICATION – THE INPAK FAIR, AND THE 46TH INTERNATIONAL FAIR OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD INDUSTRY

“The 46th International Fair of Agriculture and Food Industry confirmed its fertile origin also in its 46th repetition. If the impressions of this fair would be summarized into just a few words, the most important among them are: More exhibitors, more participating countries, and more visitors. This certainly means better meeting of business objectives on the side of the supply as well as on the side of demand. Besides a vivid international business happening, the fair brought a number of accompanying events, as we have counted over 100. Among them, there were almost 40 trade-related! Technical topics were blended with business, education was offered through socialization with colleagues of the same trade, and the belief on the importance of healthy production for the health of people and nature was fortified through entertaining programmes in the large crowd of visitors, who were enthusiastically following the events,” said Janez Erjavec, the Director of Pomurski sejem at the conclusion of the this year’s largest fair of agriculture and food industry in this part of Europe.

The 46th International Fair of Agriculture and Food Industry presented on 65,300 square metres exhibition space 1,665 exhibitors from 28 countries. The positive trend in increase of exhibitors and exhibition area was crowned by a rich, international selection of agricultural machines, stable equipment, food products, wine and other drinks, catering equipment, food processing industry, seeds, animal and plant food and care products, trade products...

The guest countries Croatia and Hungary prepared interesting events for businesspeople and the media, accompanied with folklore and culinary programme for the widest circle of visitors. Austria, Macedonia, Romania and Poland joined them with state exhibitions.

Cattle, pig, small cattle, indigenous and tradition horse exhibitions presented the achievements of the breeders from Slovenia, as well as cattle and pig breeders from the neighbouring Austria. The transparently laid sample plantations presented the most interesting products of field and alternative fruit-growing and wine-growing in Slovenia. Daily guided trips were organized through these plantations.

The fair was opened by Dr. Danilo Türk who had the honour of greeting numerous representatives of public life, among them the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia, Iztok Jarc, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Hungary, József Gráf, the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia Božidar Pankretić, the Macedonian Minister of Agriculture, Aco Spasenoski, the Minister for Higher Education of the Republic of Slovenia, Mojca Kucler Dolinar, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia, Karel Erjavec, the state secretary of agriculture of the Republic of Serbia, Maja Timotijević, the vice-president of the executive council of the AP Vojvodina and regional secretary for economy, Ištvan Pastor, numerous ambassadors and economic attaché...

109 events were accompanying the fair, among them 37 professional consultations.
Several technical exhibitions, a professional consultation, and a social-culinary event were dedicated to the International Year of the Potato.
In the light of climate changes and catastrophic phenomena causing enormous damages in agriculture, there were two well-received events: The consultation Role and Importance of Insurance in Agriculture, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food; and the special meeting of the Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia for Agriculture, Forestry and Food, focusing on the familiarisation with the strategy of adaptation of the Slovenian agriculture and forestry on climate changes.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food hosted a consultation on the issues arising from the amended model of the Slovenian agricultural policy and changes, brought about with the implementation of the wine reform. The Slovenian Wine Company discussed this year’s harvest and the present conditions on the market.
The discussion concerned European funds intended for agriculture. In cooperation with the Agricultural and Forestry Chamber of Slovenia the Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Food prepared a consultation on the first generation of calls of application under the rural development 2007 – 2013 programme. In cooperation with the Union of the Slovenian Rural Youth the Agricultural and Forestry Chamber of Slovenia prepared a consultation on financial incentives for young farmers, and VINIS discussed how to obtain funds from state and European funds for the wine production. It was also discussed why and in what way the farmers loose money when applying for different subsidies and grants.

A more rational use of energy obtained from biomass, and the deliberation on alternative energy options on farms were the topics dedicated to the protection of nature. The health of nature and people were discussed in the technical consultation on the triangle nature – man – industry, organised by the Association of Water Bottling Companies of Slovenia in cooperation with Pomurski sejem, and in the technical consultation on oil in nutrition, prepared by the Centre for Health and Development from Murska Sobota.
Topics on new strategy of assuring health care for animals within the EU and elsewhere were devoted to veterinary medicine.
Farmers could obtain free advice at the exhibition site of the Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Food which devoted a kid’s corner to the youngest citizens this year.
The representatives of the EURASCO organisation, the European association of agricultural fairs, met at a conference in which representatives from Sweden, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and of the Pomurski sejem participated.
A project and business opportunities at the 56th World Ploughing Championship in the Moravske toplice spa, which will take place simultaneously with the 47th International Fair of Agriculture and Food Industry in 2009. At this occasion a sponsored terrain vehicle was submitted to the board of the World Ploughing Championship by the representatives of Renault Nissan Slovenia.

The fair awarded quality, knowledge and skills. Awards were be granted for the 29th international evaluation of meat and meat products, the 22nd international evaluation of milk and milk products, the 12th international evaluation if fruit juices, non-alcoholic beverages and bottled water, the 28th international evaluation of agricultural machines and equipment, as well as the 34th open state wine evaluation – Vino Slovenija Gornja Radgona. Awards of the Slovenian Cooperative Association were awarded. For the tenth time in a row the Slovenian owners of forests measured their wood chopping skills. Trotting races for the Pomurski sejem cup took place.
There were also many entertaining contests. The heaviest pumpkin and the heaviest potato were selected, as well as the most numerous collection of different decorative pumpkins, and the funniest shaped potato. The tug war was a test of strength for the Slovenian boys. The Slovenian wine stars measured their football skills against music stars, and tractor drivers in a “tractor rodeo” stunt driving competition. The Slovenian wine knights selected their knight wine.
Sommeliers, European Wine Knights, consulate for Slovenia, former and present Slovenian Wine Queens met at the fair…
Small trades presentations and ethnological-cultural programme took place at the fair. The visitors were able to taste potato dishes, products from the section of bakers and millers under the patronage of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, culinary and tourist offer of Pomurje, apicultural products and, of course, the best Slovenian wines in the wine shop and the fair wine hall.
The Slovenian Institute of Forestry hosted creative workshops for children and adults at the sample plantation.
Numerous visitors were delighted by the horse and cattle shows with professional comments, and were also able to see a small cattle show with a demonstration of sheep shearing that took place on the day of the small cattle.
The most important event at the INPAK Fair, taking place simultaneously, was the exhibition the 32nd Slovenian Packaging Oscar, the presentation of the book Packaging and Protection of the Environment, and the lecture on innovation in graphic technology.

Janez Erjavec concluded his words from the preface with the following thought: “The 46th International Fair of Agriculture and Food Industry brought around many fresh impulses for its 47th repetition, taking place from 29 August to 5 September 2009, which will have a stronger international seal due to the simultaneous 56th World Ploughing Championship in the Moravske toplice spa.”

PERSONAL ID OF THE 46TH INTERNATIONAL FAIR OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD INDUSTRY,
GORNJA RADGONA, FROM AUGUST 23 TO 29, 2008

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Detailed information:
Mateja Jaklič, Head of the Sales Department, telephone: +386 2/5642 100, fax: +386 2/5642 160
e-mail: info@pomurski-sejem.si
Miran Mate, telephone +386 41 263 107
http://www.pomurski-sejem.si