News Potatoes
Romain Cools hands over the baton after 3 decades
After literally being the face of the Belgian potato sector for thirty years, Romain Cools – general secretary of Belgapom – will hand over the baton on January 1, 2021. Tom Vandenkdelaere will then become CEO of both Belgapom and FVPhouse.
Belgapom makes this news Monday 6 July known† In the coming six months, Cools will train his successor Vandenkdelaere for his new task in the role of advisor. In addition to CEO of Belgapom, he will also lead FVPhouse. This is the umbrella organization for the trade of potatoes, vegetables and fruit.
potato foreman
Cools became one of the most well-known figures in the European ware potato sector. That's not so crazy. In addition to being secretary of Belgapom, he was secretary-general of Europatat (the European federation of potato traders) and EUPPA (the industry association of European potato processors). In addition, Cools is CEO of the World Potato Congress. He will continue to fulfill this role. The WPC is an international network event for the potato sector.
Successor Vandenkdelaere was a Member of the European Parliament for 6 years (involved, among other things, in the Agriculture Committee) and currently interim administrator of the West-Flemish city of Roeselare. A municipality that is very closely involved in the potato world. He is also an independent advisor for European agricultural policy.
Strengthen and Defend
As a member of the European Parliament, he became extensively acquainted with the Belgian potato sector. Especially around the various anti-dumping allegations. He also followed the Brexit negotiations for the sector. In its own words, Vandenkdelaere wants to further strengthen and defend the position of the Belgian potato in the world.
Niels van der Boom
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