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We are very pleased to announce that the IOBC/WPRS Working Group “Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Temperate Climate” will meet on the 21-25 April 2008, in Sint Michielsgestel, The Netherlands.
The meeting will feature 4 days of presentations and workshop discussions on integrated pest and disease management in glasshouses, and will include a research tour to the most modern greenhouses with state of the art IPM and the most innovative greenhouse industry projects. The last day of the meeting (25 April) will be dedicated to the topic “IPM in outdoor nursery stocks”.
 
Topics will, among others, include:
- Integrated pest management in greenhouse crops (ornamentals, vegetables)
Integrated pest management in outdoor nursery stocks
Important and/or new pests and beneficials
Registration and quality control
New greenhouse technologies and their impact on IPM / biocontrol
IPM-elements (host plant resistance, SOS-signals, etc.)
About the Working Group
The meeting is a triennial activity of the
West Palaearctic Regional Section of the International Organisation for Biological Control.
 In 1968, this organization decided to create a special working group for greenhouse horticulture, after it had become evident that the artificial introduction of biological control agents was a realistic option to overcome pesticide resistance problems in greenhouse pests. In 1970, the founding meeting of this group took place in Naaldwijk, The Netherlands, with 10 pioneers from 8 countries.
Starting out as a researchers’group, it was soon complemented by advisory specialists, as well as representatives from commercial insectaries producing natural enemies, thus ensuring smooth communication between scientists and practicians. Recognizing regional differences with respect to climate, pest complexes and growing technology, a “mediterranean” and a “temperate” division were created in 1984.
The WPRS sustains close contacts with sister organisations, and members often attend each other’s meetings, resulting in a highly productive worldwide network.
At the meeting in Sint Michielsgestel, some 120 specialists from all over the world will exchange information. It is an excellent forum for presenting research results, learning about recent progress in integrated control, promoting new biological methods and evaluating concepts presented at previous occasions.
The Dutch greenhouse industry, producing vegetables, cut flowers, pot plants and nursery stock, is recognized for its technological standard and innovative capacity. During excursions there will be ample opportunity to witness biological control operating in the context of high tech horticulture.
We look forward to seeing you in The Netherlands in 2008!
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