IPRRG 2024

2024 Annual Meeting of the International Pest Risk Research Group
in Association with the Spanish National Research Council and University of Malaga

Pest risk assessments: Embracing new technologies and understanding socio-economic impacts of plant pests amidst rapid global change

17^th – 20^th September 2024, Torre del Mar, Malaga, Spain

It is our pleasure to invite you to the upcoming annual meeting of International Pest Risk Research Group that will be held in Torre del Mar. The conference venue will take place at the field research station “La Mayora” 5km east of Torre del Mar and which is jointly owned by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Malaga.

This conference promises to be an exciting event that will bring together experts from various fields to discuss and exchange ideas on the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in risk assessment. We are confident that this conference will provide you with valuable insights and networking opportunities that will benefit you both personally and professionally.

We look forward to welcoming you to this prestigious event and to the beautiful city of Malaga.

Host of the meeting:

The Institute for Mediterranean and Subtropical Horticulture “La Mayora” (IHSM-UMA-CSIC) was created in 2010 as a synergy between consolidated research groups from the experimental station “La Mayora” of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones científicas (CSIC) and from the University of Málaga (UMA). The research areas of the institute range from molecular aspects of plants and their pests and pathogens, to crop management. The Institute’s goal is to promote research and innovation in the area of production of subtropical and Mediterranean crops as well as crop protection and sustainability.

Venue:

La Mayora field station: this is a 50 ha field station located in Algarrobo-costa; Algarrobo-costa is found 35 km east of the city of Malaga and 5 km of Torre del Mar where plenty of accommodation can be found. This is a research station 2 km from the shoreline with experimental orchards, state of the art green houses and living germplasm collections of different Mediterranean and subtropical crops. The station has also different laboratory facilities. There is a 80-seat auditorium and two additional meeting rooms places where small discussion groups can be also hosted. It is a quiet and beautiful station in the heart of the main agriculture production area in the east of Malaga, the so called Axarquía and close to the sea. The field station (called La Mayora) is 5 km away from Torre del Mar a full-equipped holiday resort area at the seaside.
Maximum venue capacity: 85 people (auditorium) + 2 small meeting rooms (12 people each).

Transport: a bus-shuttle service will be hired to transport each day the attendees from Torre del Mar to the station and back, as there is no public transport available to get to the field station.

Accommodation – Torre del Mar:

Torre del Mar itself is a Costa del Sol mid-budget resort town, known for its flat and extensive seafront, ideal for leisurely walks. The area has a bustling town atmosphere featuring plenty of dining and shopping options. Its proximity to Malaga (connected by a convinient and fast bus) and other cities like Nerja, Frigiliana adds to its charm as a tourist destination. There are many mid-and budget accomodation possibilities all of them at a walking distance from each other and from the main beach promenade and town center.

There are many (mid-low budget) accommodations in Torre del Mar:
List on booking.com

How to get to Torre del Mar:

First by plane to Malaga: The airport of Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is the main international airport serving the Andalusian region in southern Spain. Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport offers a wide range of international connections, primarily within the European Union and the United Kingdom. Airlines like Easyjet, Ryanair, Norwegian Air, and Vueling provide numerous low-cost routes, connecting Málaga to various cities across Europe (Munich, Brussels, Nantes, Newcastle, Prague, Rome, Eindhoven, Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Munich, Milano and Zurich) among others. Malaga airport has direct and connection flights with all the main airports in Spain (e.g., Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao) and from May to October has also connection flights with the US and other African and Middle-East destinations. The fastest way to get from Málaga Airport to Torre del Mar is by taxi which takes 35-45 min and costs €70 – €80. Alternatively, and more economic is to take the bus to Torre del Mar. You can get a bus at the Airport (with the bus company ALSA https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/airports/malaga-costa-del-sol) to get to Torre del Mar from Malaga Airport with the bus being an affordable and convenient option that takes about an hour.

Call for abstracts:

We invite researchers, scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and all stakeholders with an interest in pest risk modelling and mapping to submit abstracts for oral presentations or posters. Given the theme “Pest risk assessments: Embracing new technologies and understanding socio-economic impacts of plant pests amidst rapid global change,” we aim to explore collaborative and capacity-building strategies to enhance our collective resilience against pest threats. This focus is crucial for protecting agricultural and ecological systems globally. The key topics for this year’s discussion include:

Innovations in Pest Risk Modelling
Socio-Economic Impacts of Plant Pests
Adapting Pest Risk Assessments to Climate Change
Policy and Decision Support Tools
Stakeholder Engagement in Pest Management
Case Studies on Successful Pest Management
Emerging Threats in Plant Health
Digital Innovations in Pest Monitoring
Global Networks for Pest Surveillance

Through these discussions, we intend to foster stronger collaborations across research, industry, and policy spheres, building a foundation for a sustainable future. This collaborative effort will enable us to share innovative strategies and best practices, ensuring a proactive approach to pest risk management in the face of global changes.

We encourage abstract submissions that reflect both theoretical and practical aspects of pest risk modelling and mapping, drawing from diverse disciplines and perspectives.

The deadline for submitting abstracts (max 250 words) for both oral and poster presentations at IPRRG 2024 will be 30 June 2024. As with previous IPRRG meetings, submission is via online form (click below). Only logged-in IPRRG members will be able to access the form. Members can present one oral presentation but are welcome to submit multiple poster presentation abstracts.

Submit Your Abstract

Registration:

The IPRRG 2024 registration fee will provide access to all meeting sessions, refreshments during the meeting, a group dinner and a technical excursion.
Registration will be opened in April.

Registration rates (will be confirmed soon):
Early-bird registration rate (until 30th June 2024): 350€ (Students 275€)
Regular registration rate (1st July – 31st August): 400€ (Students 325€)
Late registration rate (1st September – 15th September): 500€ (Students 425€)