20-23/06/2005, MECC, Maastricht (NL)

This congress took place in the modern Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre (MECC) and was organized jointly by the IIRB and the Dutch Beet Research Institute (IRS). Maastricht is one of the leading conference cities in Holland and its situation at the crossroads of European cultures, languages and trade routes, lends it a unique charm and international flavour.

The first two days were devoted to the following sessions:

• Beet quality
• Interactive advisory systems and communication techniques
• Soil borne pests and diseases
• Open session
• Poster session

Field visits to various experimental and dairy farms were organized on the third day. A cultural programme was organized for the accompanying persons who participated in the field visits as well.

We thank the Institute of Sugar Beet Research (IRS, Bergen op Zoom) for the successful practical organization of the congress and post-congress.