As S. subterranea is of such economic importance to the potato industry and so much requires to be understood about it, there was a concensus view that it would be valuable for interested researchers to meet for a 2 day meeting, perhaps in Brussels, in the near future. The objectives of meeting would be:

a. To identify and become acquainted with the research on S. subterranea going on in Europe

b. To rationalise aspects of the disease (e.g. the range of symptoms)

c. To discuss standardization of methods used for disease assessment, seed testing, etc.

d. To determine if there is a suitable area for collaborative research to make a bid to the EU for funding under Framework 5

EU-Proposal

In December 1999 Alison Lees as co-ordinator and U. Merz and Start Wale as principal contractors started an initiative to produce an EU proposal for such a workshop. S. Wale agreed to organize the conference facilities in Aberdeen. The proposal was submitted in time in February 2000.
A tentative programme has been drafted. The European Powdery Scab Initiative workshop will be held over three days in Scotland in July 2000. Scientists and technical personnel having expertise in many disciplines, including Biology, Plant Pathology, Mycology, Epidemiology, Virology, Breeding and Agronomy will be brought together from nine countries to provide the knowledge necessary to develop an integrated approach towards a sustainable control strategy for powdery scab.
Over the three days, researchers from various countries will present reports allocated to the following sessions:

1. National potato production and the powdery scab situation

2. Symptom range and recognition, disease assessment and seed testing

3. Present powdery scab control measures

4. Past and current research on powdery scab and potato mop top virus

5. Recognising components of an integrated control approach

6. Missing knowledge and potential for collaborative research

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