THE 1ST EUROPEAN RICE CONFERENCE BEGINS.

SUSTAINABILITY AND WELLBEING IN KEEPING WITH TRADITION.

The leading sector organisations of Italy, Portugal and France come together in Paris on 29 March to inaugurate the first European Rice Convention.
 
The event is the first of a series of international meetings organised as part of the project Sustainable EU Rice – Don’t Think Twice, co-funded by the European Union, and will present a series of talks aimed at sharing partners’ knowledge of various issues in the European rice industry.
Presenters include Marco Romani, head of the Agronomy department at the Rice Research Centre, “sworn rice broker” Jean Pierre Brun, and Pedro Monteiro, director general of ANIA (Associação Nacional dos Industriais de Arroz).
The aim of the Sustainable EU Rice – Don’t Think Twice project is to expand and promote the production of Japonica rice, a variety that accounts for 77% of European rice growing; the slogan “Good for you, great for the environment” highlights the sector’s concern for issues linked to the health and sustainability of rice cultivation and production.
 
Indeed, high-quality Japonica not only guarantees excellent environmental standards in rice growing, a longstanding driver for the protection of biodiversity in Europe, but is also an exceptional product in organoleptic, health and food safety terms.
 
Growing and consuming European rice therefore has a positive impact on both our health and that of the planet. These topical issues will be discussed during the three European Rice Conventions; they will be accompanied – like the first meeting of the series – by tempting content: good food, and in-depth knowledge of the ingredient, thanks to the presence of a chef who will present a series of recipes to delight the audience.