The conference in the historic Town Hall traditionally attracts around 500 experts from all sectors of the international cotton business. The theme of the Conference is “Cotton: Connecting High Tech and Nature”.

Within the frame of nine thematic sessions, the Conference will take up “hot topics” in cotton production as well as aspects of the future viability of cotton as a raw material. One theme is the application of genetic processes in plant breeding, also known as “green genetic engineering”, which has many opponents in Europe. Under the motto “New Directions in Cotton Breeding and Consumer Reception”, defenders as well as opponents of green genetic engineering will be discussing.

Considering the results of traditionally applied genetic engineering, it should become clear which opportunities and chances new breeding practices like “smart breeding” offer and which benefits for mankind and environment result thereof. Above all, it should become clear which reasons there are for the consumers´ lack of trust in genetically engineered products and whether their reservations are justified.