President’s Message, April 2011

Since my January “Presidents Postings” there have been two very serious global disasters. Earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand and the whole of the North East coast of Japan fortunately I can report that we have not experienced any loss of life within our Blackcurrant family. This can only be seen as a miracle with the unprecedented damage to buildings, people and personal property. May we take time to reflect on the situation these people find themselves in after these two major disasters.
There are only a few weeks to go before we have the opportunity to meet together at the 16th European Blackcurrant conference, Goes, Netherlands. If you have not seen the program and registration forms you will find them on your IBA Web Site. Wim and his hard working team have put together a very interesting agenda of activities for all segments of our industry to benefit from. I am looking forward to seeing you there.

Both the European Board and the IBA board will be meeting on the Wednesday 25th prior to the conference starting on the Thursday 26th May. You are very welcome to sit in on the General and Annual General Meeting of the IBA starting at 3pm.

During the IBA General meeting I intend to openly discuss the draft Rules, Policy and Procedural processes we wish to document for the ongoing Governance of the IBA. I look forward to you bringing your ideas to this meeting.

I am pleased to report that our Web-Site is gathering momentum on a daily basis. General Manager, Bill Floyd advises that there has been very good interest shown across all of our sectors of the blackcurrant business and that the most rewarding is the number of countries confirming their intention in becoming members of the IBA. More on this at the, Goes, Conference.

Travel Safe

Jim Grierson, IBA President, April 2011