Ireland to Host Major International Meat Science Forum – Teagasc
Wednesday 12 April 2006
The world’s leading meat scientists are coming to Ireland for the 52nd International Congress of Meat Science and Technology (ICoMST 2006) which takes place in Dublin from 13-18 August, 2006. This is the first time in over 30 years that this major International Congress of Meat Science and Technology will be held in Ireland. Over 500 delegates from more than 60 countries are expected to attend.
The Congress was officially launched by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Mr. Brendan Smith TD today, April 12, 2006 at Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre, Dublin. The aim of the Congress is to enhance the co-operation and exchange of information between academic researchers and industry researchers in the field of meat science and technology. The latest scientific knowledge on the role of meat in our diet will be discussed at one of the conference sessions.
The chairman of the organising committee and Head of Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre, Mr. Declan Troy, said, “ICoMST is the major forum for the international exchange of new scientific ideas in meat science. It is most appropriate for Ireland to host this conference, at this time, when Ireland’s exports of meat have reached over €2 billion. To maintain and enhance international market share for this major endogenous industry the highest levels of safety and quality must be sustained. Ireland is now a leading international centre for meat science research”.
The main theme of the conference is "harnessing and exploiting global opportunities" which are now emerging through developments in key science-based technologies and innovations. The Congress will focus on discussing the scientific basis of these opportunities and on ways to overcome major technological challenges for their implementation
Session themes include the latest scientific developments underpinning meat quality, scientific advances in meat safety, understanding future consumer needs and wants, and the latest technology responses from the global meat industry.
A new approach to address specific topical issues important to the industry will be adopted at this year’s Congress with a lot of interaction expected between the research community and the industry.
One of the anticipated highlights of the event will be the keynote address by
Prof. Lowell Catlett, New Mexico State University, USA, on consumer needs in a changing world. There will be a special International Meat Secretariat (IMS) sponsored lecture from Dr. Nicola Simmons, New Zealand on new technologies to enhance meat eating quality.
The organisers are delighted to announce the IMS prize for Meat Science and Technology 2007. This prize of €5,000 will be awarded for a presentation/lecture or poster concerned with red meat and delivered at the conference.
Mr. Troy said,
“Meat can no longer be classed as a basic food commodity but as a high quality food which can satisfy the modern consumer’s needs in terms of taste, convenience and nutritional values. Opportunities exist to further satisfy these needs using technologies underpinned by high quality science, a core activity of Ashtown Food Research Centre”
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Mr. Troy acknowledged the support from industry, government departments and agencies, and the universities in organising the conference to-date and he looks forward to the event being a major success for Ireland on the global stage.
Further information on the congress can be found at www.icomst2006.com.
