Angers, France
September 12, 2008
Végépolys, the French high-tech cluster focused on
horticulture, will take part in the Hortifair trade show, which
will be held in Amsterdam from 14 to 17 October 2008. During the
event, Végépolys will hold a press conference at 2.30 pm on 15
October. The press conference will be held jointly with the
Salon du Végétal, a horticultural trade show that is held every
February in Angers (in western France).
Végépolys, which is located in the Loire Valley (in western
France), is a high-tech cluster with an international focus. Its
members include both innovative companies as well as research
and training centres working in the field of horticulture,
including ornamental plants, fruit and vegetables, seeds,
medicinal and aromatic plants, and viticulture.
The Loire Valley has long been renowned for its pedo-climatic
conditions (i.e. the combination of soil and climate), which are
ideal for growing plants. Many horticultural companies are based
in the area, making the region the leading French supplier of
potted plants (such as hortensias), ground-cover plants, nursery
seedlings, bulbs (dahlias, for instance), shrubs in containers,
and flower and vegetable seeds. It is also one of the leading
producers of rosebushes grown in the open air and of greenhouse
vegetables (such as cucumbers and tomatoes).
Members of the Végépolys cluster include acknowledged scientific
experts with cutting-edge expertise, who work for leading R&D
institutions such as the French National Institute for Agronomic
Research (INRA), AgroCampus Ouest (the Institute for
agricultural sciences, agri-foods, horticulture and
landscaping), and the University of Angers. These research
institutes have particular expertise in the creation of new
plant varieties, in seed and plant health, and in urban and
peri-urban landscaping. The regional training centre, VALCAMPUS,
offers over 25 courses on horticulture, making it a Europe-wide
leader.
Végépolys also includes European Union agencies such as the
Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), which is based in Angers.
CVPO registers plant varieties in the EU catalogue.
Regional development policies put in place by the local
authorities of the Loire Valley have helped to foster a
favourable environment for the development of horticultural
companies. Measures taken include a land-use charter, the
establishment of dedicated zones, and improved logistics and
water management.
Based in the Loire Valley (in western France), Végépolys is a
high-tech cluster specialising in horticulture. It offers a
unique showcase for horticultural activity in Europe and aims to
become one of the world’s five leading clusters in the sector by
2010. The Végépolys network facilitates trade, economic
development, the implementation of research partnerships, the
sharing of development tools, logistics, forecasting, and the
establishment of new companies, among other activities.
The Végépolys cluster will take part in the Hortifair trade
show, which will be held in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) from 14
to 17 October 2008 (Booth 0209, Hall 3). VEGEPOLYS and the Salon
du Végétal will hold a press conference on 15 October 2008 at
2.30 pm. The conference will take place in Room J of the
Auditorium Centre. |
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