The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) held its Annual Congress in Dubai from October 26th to October 31st, 2008 on the invitation of the Dubai Horticultural Producers Group. The Committee meetings were complemented by ‘special events’ to celebrate the association’s 60th anniversary and guided tours of ‘greenhouses in the desert’ and the Dubai Flower Centre. 

by Sjaak Langeslag, Secretary General AIPH
 

In the meeting of the Committee on Environment and Plant Health a presentation was given by Sarah Brunel on behalf of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization based in Paris (EPPO). She informed delegates about the risks of invasive alien species and how to deal with them. For many horticultural producers this was a very relevant subject as they are producers of such species and may be confronted with legislation that can hamper their trade. The other side of this matter, also expressed in the presentation, was that such species can turn into plagues that can damage commercial production sites.
Another presentation was given by Najieb Khoory, CEO of the Mirak Group. As a producer company they themselves have developed hydroponic systems to grow several crops in desert conditions. Khoory elaborated on how the system deals with sustainability issues like use of water and minerals. This meeting also informed the audience about the progress of Fair Flowers Fair Plants (FFP). Many retailers are now joining this certification programme whereas producers seem to be a bit more reluctant.
The Novelty Protection Committee spoke about the AIPH paper stating its position on Essentially Derived Varieties. This paper was prepared as input for discussions on this issue with the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), it is an issue that has a high relevance for breeders and producers. The relevancy of plant breeder’s rights (PBR) for the whole of the supply chain was illustrated in the presentation of Jan Lanning about the inspections being performed by the European customs authorities. On the request of the breeders the authorities had stopped many trucks with flowers to look for infringements of PBR around Valentines Day 2008. Some infringements were found and much delay to trade was the inevitable consequence. It was decided at the congress that there is a need for AIPH to stimulate and to participate in discussions about this issue with CIOPORA, the international community of breeders of asexually reproduced ornamental and fruit varieties, and Union Fleurs, the international floricultural trade association.
International exhibitions were the main topic for the Marketing Committee. A very interesting presentation about the history of exhibitions and their future modelling was given by the invited speaker, Mr Ting from Chinese Taipei. Containing some beautiful images the presentations of several organizing committees informed the Marketing Committee about the progress of many exhibitions that are scheduled for the near future. The committee approved the application from Zaragoza, Spain, to hold an A1 exhibition in 2014 and also the application for the B2 Hamanako Flower & Garden Fair in 2009 in Shizuoka, Japan, and for the A2/B1 Royal Flora Ratchapruek in 2011 in Chang Mai, Thailand, were approved. The calendar of international exhibitions is published on www.AIPH.org.
In the Council meeting two applications for membership were accepted; one was from ASBINDO, the Indonesian Flower Association and the other one was from the Kenya Flower Council. Progress reports were given about the co-operation with organizations like the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), UPOV, the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) and Union Fleurs and the Council concluded by constituting the new Standing Committee Green City. The aims of this committee are to co-ordinate and stimulate initiatives throughout the world to use more greenery in cities and residential areas. This initiative not only offers an opportunity in the market place for production and trade but is also contributing considerably to better air quality, reduced noise pollution, increased well-being of residents and reduced criminality and vandalism. Many studies have already shown these effects and should as a consequence be brought to the attention of many more city councils and city designers. Victor Santacruz, who was nominated as secretary of this new committee, illustrated many of these points in a very inspiring presentation about green city activities in Canada.

The 2009 Spring AIPH Congress will be held in March in Taipei and the 2009 Annual Congress will be held in September in Zaragoza, Spain.

Special events
As AIPH was founded in Switzerland in 1948 it celebrated its 60th anniversary with some special events. Opening speeches at the Annual Congress were given by Doeke Faber, president of AIPH, and Sultan Abdullah Alwan, acting under secretary for Agricultural Affairs on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Water. The former (honorary) presidents of AIPH, Mr Mathis, Mr Koch and Mr Werner, and former honorary secretary general, Mr Rotteveel, were all invited as special guests and were the first to receive a jubilee book to commemorate the 60th anniversary. In this book several stakeholders in AIPH, such as Mrs Fischer Boel a member of the European Commission, give their views on the work and the future tasks of AIPH.
An important part of the opening session was a tree planting ceremony carried out by Mr Faber, Mr Alwan and Kees van Spronsen, counsellor general on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Faber said the tree was an anniversary gift from the horticultural producers to the city of Dubai as a symbol for a greener world and a greener city. This is an example that should be followed by many countries as ‘Green Cities’ and ‘Green Environments’ are contributing to the well-being and health of people as is clearly evidenced by many scientific studies and projects. The tree, sponsored by Plant Publicity Holland which is very much involved in Green City projects in different parts of the world, is a Carnocarpus lancefolius a species well adapted to the climatic conditions in Dubai.

In the jubilee book to commemorate the 60th anniversary, AIPH president Doeke Faber comments: “This celebration of 60 years existence is a poignant reminder to look ahead 15 years to 2023. We are seeing that the traditional source of flowers and plants from the South and West is shifting to the East. This trend is still in its early stages and the speed of the developments cannot be judged accurately, but it is evident that the enormous potential in Asia is being unleashed. This is a region that stretches from Turkey to China and it is not only the purchasing power, but also the production capacity, that is being awakened. These new economies are now breathing down the neck of the more traditional production areas and markets of our industry. The AIPH will have to closely monitor these geographical developments and play its role if and when necessary. We can be an important influence in channelling professional information and steering changes of importance, such as breeder’s rights. Furthermore, the rise of the East will certainly impact the status of flowers and plants as a commodity. The instruments that govern international trade will become even more important and raise the industry’s status within the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The AIPH is currently progressing in its relationship with the WTO.”

Greenhouses in the desert
During the professional visits, which are always an important part of the AIPH Annual Congress, the participants visited the different sites of the Mirak Group, some in Dubai and others in Abu Dhabi. It was a new experience for many to see greenhouses in the desert. Big fans are used to cool the air from over 40° C to just under 30° C. This enables them to grow roses, lilies, peppers and some species of bedding plants. During autumn and winter the Mirak Group also produces strawberries in the open using hydroponic systems. Large production areas (20 ha and more) are surrounded by walls and 10 m wide strips of trees and shrubs to create a more favourable micro climate for the crops. As summer time approaches production changes to vegetables like pumpkins and zucchinis, however during the summer itself no production is possible at all as temperatures can rise to 50° C or more.
Another visit was to the Flower Centre of Dubai near Dubai airport. It is not only the import and export of flowers and plants that are handled in this facility, but also many wholesalers rent cool rooms in which they prepare flower arrangements for the domestic market; especially the growing number of hotels offer a great opportunity for this part of the flower sector.

New Statistical Yearbook
The Committee on Statistics presented the new Statistical Yearbook which contains much new data about global ornamental production and trade. The Yearbook is a joint production between AIPH, Union Fleurs and the University of Hanover, Germany.
At this meeting a presentation about the production and use of horticultural products in the United Arab Emirates was given by Najieb Khoory, CEO of the Mirak Group; especially where landscaping projects are concerned there is still an increasing market for plants from local production as well as from imports. The consumption of fruits, vegetables and flowers and plants by hotels, companies and the public is also an expanding market.
*The book, “International Statistics Flowers and Plants 2008” Volume 56, can be ordered via the AIPH website, www.aiph.org, or through us www.floracultureinternational.com for the price of €110.