Hutton’s potato expert to lead the European Association for Potato Research
Professor Ian Toth, Director of the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC) and Scotland’s Plant Health Centre at The James Hutton Institute, has been appointed as President of the European Association for Potato Research (EAPR), in recognition of his 35 years of pioneering potato research.
Over the next three years, Professor Toth will lead the Association, comprised of over 200 individual members and other sustaining members, with a network that spans Europe and beyond.
His leadership will enhance the EAPR’s commitment to promoting the exchange of scientific and technical information related to all aspects of potato breeding, production, protection, storage and utilisation on a global scale.
Professor Toth will also lead the EAPR Triennial Conference in Scotland set to take place in 2027. The conference will highlight both Scotland’s excellent potato production and the country’s many other achievements.
As Director of the NPIC, he has successfully collaborated with national and international partners to lead the Centre in its mission to find new and sustainable solutions for the potato industry.
In line with his new role, Professor Toth will continue to work with the International Potato Partnership (IPP), which was recently announced at this year’s World Potato Congress, with the goal of enhancing global collaboration across potato research and industry.
Speaking on this new role, Ian said: “I’m looking forward to working with the scientists within the EAPR network, who are renowned for being the drivers of innovation for potato research in Europe.
“I’m looking forward to working with the scientists within the EAPR network, who are renowned for being the drivers of innovation for potato research in Europe”
Professor Ian Toth, The James Hutton Institute
“It has never been more crucial for scientists and researchers to unite in overcoming the many challenges that threaten the potato industry, not least climate change and the loss of plant protection products. I hope to integrate the ground-breaking research at the James Hutton Institute with those advancements being made across the research network globally.”
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