On Thursday at Green Week I finally had a chance to wander around some of the pavilions and booths. I started with the agricultural area first and walked right into a biobased products section. I’m not sure what the exact definition of “bio” is around the world or if it actually is different in different countries. I say this because this display was of organic dairy products and that doesn’t fit into my definition of bio-based products. In fact, I would say that true organic production implies to me that bio-type products weren’t used in the making of these items.
Acres of Food
If you’re interested in acres of food booths then Green Week is the place to be. It’s really hard to convey how large this show is. This booth is just a representative sample of what you’ll find here.
All About the IFAJ Congress in Japan
Right after our sushi lunch which did include some of the best sake I’ve ever tasted (really didn’t think I liked it) I got to interview Yamada Masaru who is one of the main organizers for the IFAJ Congress 2007.
Sushi Lunch in Berlin
After getting some proposals out and doing a little email catch up this morning I got to the Green Week press center in time for an excellent Japanese box lunch. The IFAJ executive committee was given a presentation on this fall’s IFAJ Congress 2007 which will be in Japan.
Late Night With IFAJ
It got a little late out in Berlin last night with my IFAJ buddies. Here’s a few of them. We braved the rain and wind to go out to a very nice dinner. And then the Prez decided we should stop on the way back to the hotel for “just one more.”
EU Commissioner of Ag Mariann Boel
We heard from a lot of politicians today but the one I think who had the clearest message was the EU Commissioner of Agriculture Mariann Fischer Boel. She’s a pretty straight talking lady and I recorded her whole press conference for you. Later in the afternoon I got to interview her personally too.
German Minister of Agriculture
The biggest press conference of the day is taking place right now in the ICC center next to the press rooms. Just finishing up is Germany’s Federal Minister of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, Horst Seehofer. He’s seated second from the left.
I’m Thinking Japanese
The IFAJ Congress 2007 will be held in Japan this year. We have representatives here from that country. The man on the left is Yamada Masaru with the Japan Agricultural News and to the right is Tadashi MURATA. We ate supper together last night.
Getting Caught Up On The Latest Plans
Here’s a fine looking group listening to IFAJ President David Markey get our meeting started.
IFAJ Board Meeting
It’s a new day here in Berlin. Most of you reading are probably asleep still so at least you can wake up to some new content here on AgWired!