WABCG conference info
WABCG - 9th World Beet and Cane Growers Conference 2007
The World Association of Beet and Cane Growers 9th World Beet and Cane Growers Conference 9-12 July 2007, was hosted and organised by the Australian Cane Growers Council at the offices of the Queensland Cane Growers Organisation.
9thThe World Association of Beet and Cane Growers 9th World Beet and Cane Growers Conference 9-12 July 2007, was hosted and organised by the Australian Cane Growers Council at the offices of the Queensland Cane Growers Organisation.
Media Releases
11 July 2007: Sugar the natural energy of life and part of a renewable future
According to Bill Hejl, a beet grower from North Dakota USA, cane and beet growers will continue to husband and care for their environment, however the ability to do so is increasingly determined by the policies of others. MORE
11 July 2007: Trade, Renewable Fuel & Biotechnology to sweeten dividends
International trade opportunity was a focus of sugar producers from 20 countries across the globe, who converged on Brisbane this week for the 9th congress of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG). Delegates were briefed directly by two of the key decision makers of the US Congress during a live video link from Washington yesterday. MORE
10 July 2007: Renewable energy key to soured beet & cane outlook says International conference
Bill Hejl, a beet grower from North Dakota USA, said the future of beet and cane production worldwide looks brighter, despite beet and cane growers current sour attitude towards prices due to the lull in the market brought about by a combination of exchange rates, inflation and market pressures. MORE
04 July 2007: International sugar visitors get a taste of Queensland at world conference
CANEGROWERS is gearing up to stage the most significant event on the international sugar calendar next week. Over 200 people from 25 countries around the world are eagerly awaiting the international World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG) congress, which is being held at the Hilton Hotel in Brisbane, 9-11 July 2007. MORE
03 July 2007: 50 International delegates see North Queensland cane and tourism first hand
This media alert outlines the farm tour being undertaken by 50 overseas sugar people starting in Cairns on 4 July and ending in Townsville on Saturday. MORE
Conference Proceedings & Audio Files
Click here to download conference papers
The WABCG - 9th World Beet and Cane Growers Conference aimed to provide delegates with a complete overview of the sugar and ethanol industry, with special emphasis, of course, on sensitive topics for beet and cane growers.
The conference program included state-of the-art presentations through 9 sessions and over 25 experts addressing a wide range of topics, from sugar and ethanol markets to innovation and farm practices, and more.
This was a unique opportunity to engage in analysis and deepen delegates grasp of the main challenges, risks and opportunities facing professionals involved with beet and cane production from all over the world.
Summary of the official program
The meeting kicked off with Czarnikow’s forecast of the world sugar trade and world prices. An ISO expert analyzed the potential for the international trade in bio-ethanol. ORPLANA gauged the future place of Brazil within the world sugar and ethanol industry. With the assistance of ABARE, delegates broadened their understanding of the price link between sugar / ethanol and crude oil. That was just for starters!
The energy session followed with a review of the UN statement on climate change and bio-fuels. Next, an overview of ethanol business opportunities was offered by Global Ethanol, one of the world leaders in bio-ethanol production counting several distilleries in the US. The energy session wraped up with an analysis of the European Energy Bill that aims to achieve a 10% blend of bio-fuels by the year 2020—highlighting crucial interests at stake for European beet growers.
Session 5 was about trade and politics. A very sensitive issue particularly for European and ACP growers working against the backdrop of an EU sugar regime reform now entering its second year of implementation that has already had a major impact on farmers. Particular emphasis was placed on developing a clearer picture of the reform outlook as well as exploring the effort growers must make to adapt to the new situation.
Finally, a video link was established with Senator Conrad and Congressman Peterson in Washington DC offering attendees the chance to fully understand the new US Farm Bill & Energy Policy, a particularly critical issue for growers worldwide.
Session 6 focused on farm practices. Participants were treated to a general survey of the renowned experience of the BSES, the Australian sugar cane research institute, as well as a review of the biotech beet story in the US presented by the US Beet Sugar Development Foundation. Syngenta delivered the session’s final address, focusing on beet potential as a complement to cane in dry areas, a hot and promising research topic of wide interest.
Session 7 provided attendees with a sample of strategies and communication operations to promote sugar consumption in the northern hemisphere. Two leading experts in the field lead the discussion: the US Sugar Association and CEDUS, from France. To conclude, Queensland Sugar Limited described sugar consumption trends in Asia, a strategic area of high potential in the effort to increase sugar consumption.
As innovations are a crucial issue for the beet and cane growers community, session 8 emphasized areas that could bring new income opportunities: bioplastics, biobutanol or cellulosic ethanol with the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Sugar Cane Innovation through Biotechnology; biogas and wind power with a focus on Northern German experience; carbon trading with Hyder Consulting, a specialised cabinet in this area.
The last session allowed beet and cane growers to dialog around two sensitive topics: development and food security. Through the Tanzanian experience, attendees were able to assess the role of sugar cane in Eastern Africa and main challenges faced by growers in this low-income area. A review of a strategic FAO study on biofuels vs. food security currently on the way was also debated as a critical issue, potentially affecting biofuels development. Finally, IVA provided a detailed review of actions implemented within the WABCG/AGRICORD programme, as well as short and long terms objectives of this essential programme initiated in 2004 and proof of solidarity within the profession.
An expert to expert programme was delivered, aimed to make attendees fully aware about what’s happening in their business while emphasising the leading role of beet and cane growers within the sugar and ethanol industry.
WABCG Election of Officers
Executive Board 2007 - 2010
President
Alf Cristaudo (Australia)
Vice-Presidents
William Martin (UK)
Tim Murray (South Africa)
Otto Von Arnold (Swenden)
Beet Representatives
Members
Dominique Ducroquet (France)
Jurgen Winter (Germany)
Jeff Whalen (USA)
Alternates
John Dalby (Denmark)
Toshiaki Sato (Japan)
Recept Konuk (Turkey)
Cane Representatives
Members
Jayantilal Patel (India)
Ismael Perina Junior (Brazil)
Richard Hulley (Swaziland)
Alternates
Carlos Blackaller (Mexico)
George Mlingwa (Tanzania)
Amul Mungur (Mauritus)
Message from the WABCG Chairman
We were honored to host our friends from sugar producing countries around the world around the world, and give them a hearty Australian welcome to the great State of Queensland and our wonderful city of Brisbane during the conference.
On behalf of our sugarcane growers in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia, we have been pleased to have this opportunity to host the 9th World Sugar Farmer’s Conference. Our guests had a chance to meet Australian sugarcane growers and other sugar industry participants, hear some of the world’s most renowned sugar industry experts, and visit some of our sugar regions along the coast of Queensland. At the same time many delegates took the opportunity to sample some of our spectacular tourist destinations.
Sugar is one of Australia’s most important rural industries, worth around $1.5–2 billion to the Australian economy. It provides around 38 million tonnes of cane per year, which when processed, equates to around 5 million tonnes of sugar. Australia is one of the lowest cost sugarcane and raw sugar producers in the world. Australia has maintained export competitiveness by adopting innovative practices, particularly through mechanisation, new farming practices, rationalisation and diversification.
The conference was held in Brisbane - the capital city of Queensland – the State in which 95% of Australia’s sugarcane is grown. Australia is a large country and vast tracts of land separate our sugarcane communities, which are dotted along the coast of Queensland and New South Wales, with a small pocket of growers in the Ord River in Western Australia. Our sugarcane growers take pride in their land, landscape and community. They have some of Australia’s most unique vegetation, animal life, waterways and the Great Barrier Reef in their front yard. They have made it their responsibility to farm responsibly to protect our natural resources.
We hope that this 9th World Sugar Farmer’s Conference was a truly memorable and enjoyable experience, which you are able to look back on with fond memories for many years to come. We enjoyed sharing our heritage, culture, people, and scenery with you.
Alf Cristaudo Chairman – Australian Cane Growers Council Ltd
World Association of Beet and Cane Growers Secretariat Address: 60, rue St Lazare Telephone: (33) 1 4526 0553 Fax: (33) 1 4874 7212 Email: On behalf of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers, and the hosts of the 9th World Sugar Farmer’s Conference 2007 - Australian Cane Growers Council and Queensland Cane Growers Organisation we take this opportunity to gratefully acknowledge the generous support of our sponsors.
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