The joint meeting of the EAPR Breeding and Varietal Assessment Section and EUCARPIA Potato Section was held in Oulu, Finland, 26–30 July 2003 and was hosted by Dr. Jari Valkonen (University of Helsinki) and friends. The meetings provided a presentation, discussion and tour format that highlighted the following aspects of potato breeding:

-Breeding and assessing potatoes for diverse environments and uses;

-Yield stability, adaptation and GxE;

-Molecular introgression and breeding;

-Molecular biology and genetics of resistance and quality traits

-Applying genomics to potato breeding.

More than 55 presentations were made and tours of agricultural research, farm, potato seed operations and local cultural attractions provided the more than 90 delegates from about 30 countries with much information and excellent contacts.  Discussion sessions also provided excellent opportunities for participants to acquire new ideas and to develop new scientific collaborations. Of interest to GILB members were several presentations regarding genetic advances on resistance to late blight.  These can be viewed at http://www.spk.fi/eapr/

Bud Platt, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Email: PlattH(at)agr.gc.ca