A major conference on global production will form part of Scotland's contribu-tion to the UN Year of the Potato in 2008.
The Scottish Crops Research Institute (SCRI) yesterday said the conference, to be held in Dundee in August, will help aid future production of potatoes, which currently stands at six million tonnes a year in the UK.
It said the UK potato crop is important in maintaining the economic viability of more than 500,000 hectares of productive farmland and the potato industry employs more than 30,000 people.
The International Year of the Potato was initially declared by the government of Peru and adopted by the UN. It is envisaged events will focus on the importance of the potato in providing food security and alleviating poverty.
Among the speakers will be Dr Pamela Anderson, the director general of the International Potato Centre in Peru, and Dr Mike Storey, head of research and development at the British Potato Council.
The rapidly increasing importance of China in the global potato industry will be recognised by the presence at the conference of a high-level Chinese delegation, after Beijing agreed to allow the import of Scottish seed potatoes, considered a significant marketing breakthrough.
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said: "The important contribution which SCRI makes through its scientific research is recognised by the international community, helping to put Scottish science on the map.
"It is also fundamental in achieving the Scottish Government's strategic objectives, helping to make Scotland a smarter, greener, healthier and wealthier and fairer place."
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