Annual General Meeting of the Society for Hop Research focusses on sustainability issues in hop production
Wolnzach/Hüll, 22 March 2024 To kick off the new hop year, the Gesellschaft für Hopfenforschung e.V. (GfH) invited members to the Annual General Meeting at the German Hop Museum in Wolnzach. In accordance with the statutes of the association, which has over 450 members worldwide, Chairman of the Board Dr Michael Möller gave a report on the past year and also provided an outlook on current challenges and research projects for the coming growing season.
In close cooperation with the Bavarian State Research Centre for Agriculture (LfL), practical research is being carried out at the Hop Research Centre in Hüll and work is being done to secure the future of Germany as a hop-growing location. At the members’ meeting, the scientists spoke in particular about the research projects that are endeavouring to continuously improve sustainability in hop growing. These included the sensible use of the residual plant after harvesting to produce plant fibres and insulation mats, the promotion of biodiversity in the hop garden, but also the reduction of chemical-synthetic plant protection through the use of beneficial organisms or the reduction of the CO2 footprint of the hops produced through new breeds.
All current research results were published in the “Annual Report – Speciality Crop Hops”, hot off the press, and handed out to the members.
Dr Michael Möller, Chairman of the GfH, praised the great commitment of the entire research team at the Hop Research Centre as well as its foresight and the resulting support for the entire hop value chain right through to the finished beer.
Guest speaker Uwe Ritzer, investigative journalist at the Süddeutsche Zeitung, also praised the entire hop industry for the work it has already done and its progressive approach to the use of water as a resource compared to other speciality crops or industry. The author of the book “Zwischen Dürre und Flut – was jetzt passieren muss” (Between drought and flood – what needs to happen now) spoke about the effects of climate change on Germany’s water supply strategy and offered possible solutions for politics and society.