The World Processing Tomato Council (WPTC) Executive Board met in Sacramento California on February 7th. The meeting was presided by Rick Orzalli (USA), the WPTC Chairman, assisted by Khélil Lajimi (Tunisia) and Tim Dyer (Australia), the two Vice-Chairmen. The Board was informed of the work program of the three commissions, which had met the day before.

• The Tomato and Health Commission, which is chaired by Juan José Amezaga (Spain), assisted by the two Vice-Chairmen Ben George (USA), and Peter Gray (Australia).

• The Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is chaired by John Mumford (Canada), assisted by the two Vice-Chairmen Giorgio Bossi (Italy) and Leo Brick (Brazil).

• The Exchange of Information Commission, which is chaired by Greg Pruett (USA) assisted by the two Vice-Chairmen Miguel Cambezes (Portugal) and Barry Horn (Australia).

The Commissions’ chairmen will report on the advancement of their work during the next meeting of the WPTC to be held in Parma (Italy) in October 1999 during Technoconserve, the famous Food Processing and Packaging Fair.

The Council took note of the market demand for tomato products in regards of the low inventory levels, which give rise to record forecasts for the 1999 processing season in the world. The WPTC Board wishes to remind that one of its objectives is the global balance between production and consumption.

The Chairman Rick Orzalli was pleased with the good start of the activities of the WPTC and reminded all the industry of the importance of the 4th World Congress and the 7th ISHS Symposium on the Processing Tomato to be held in Sacramento on June 10-13, 2000.

The World Processing Tomato Council is chaired by Mr. Rick Orzalli (U.S.A.) with Deputy Chairmen, Messrs Khélil Lajimi (Tunisia) and Tim Dyer (Australia). It is composed of professional associations gathered in three zones:

• The Mediterranean basin with AMITOM representatives (Algeria, Spain, France, Greece, Israel Italy, Jordan, Portugal, Tunisia and Turkey)

• North America with CTGA representatives (California Tomato Growers Association), CLFP (California League of Processors) and OVGMB (Ontario Vegetable Growers Marketing Board) and the OFPA (Ontario Food Processors Association).

• Other countries with representatives APTIC (Australian Processing Tomato Industry Council Board) CAFIM (Càmara de la Fruta Industrialinzada de Mendoza) and ASFACO (Associacion de Procesadoes de Alimentos de Chile) et de l’ABIA Associacao Brasileira das Industrias da Alimentacao).

WPTC news release
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