I see that the European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan will provide the opening address at the 2017 Agricultural Science Association (ASA) conference in Naas next month.

The conference, which is the biggest and best of its kind on the island of Ireland, will take place in the Killashee House Hotel, Naas, Co Kildare, on 7 and 8 September 2017.

The conference, entitled The Future of Agri-food, is once again sponsored by FBD and will celebrate 75 years of the ASA.

The day-long forum will explore the outlook for the industry in the wake of recent global events, which are affecting the international trading environment.

Other speakers include Frans Keurentjes, chair of FrieslandCampina, and Jim Bergin, CEO of Glanbia Ireland, as well as Niall Browne of Dawn Meats, and Tara McCarthy of Bord Bia.