Agribex
Guest region 2011
Support for the core values of Agribex will continue in 2011. As a part of this continuing effort, there will be emphasis placed on new topics, including featuring Belgium's German-speaking Community as a guest region at the trade show. Thus Agribex underscores its character as a national organisation in which each region or community has its own importance.
In addition, the German-speaking Community occupies a very important economic position in the area of agriculture. Dairy farming, forestry, and rural development and bringing local produce to market are some of the most important economic activities. In terms of renewable energy and forestry, the region is very much "up-to-date."
Agriculture as the Basis for Nature-Friendly Tourism
In the German-speaking Community, agriculture has long been more than just an economic factor. In terms of tourism, agriculture and caring for the landscape are also important. The farmer's labour creates the basis for nature-friendly tourism. For several years now, a new closeness to nature is once again the trend. The tourists are rediscovering the gentle hills of the region's characteristic landscape filled with meadows and woodlands. In eastern Belgium, an expanded network of hiking and bicycle paths await vacationers, day-trippers and residents alike.
Regional Shopping
The products that come from eastern Belgian farmers are nothing less than top quality. People are buying more and more of the region's best products, such as cheese and meat specialties, bread and chocolate; they are discovering the advantages of regional consumption. Those who buy regional products opt for quality, sustainability and support regional food producers.
Main Theme: Use Renewable Energy
For residents, businesses and institutions in the German-speaking Community, sustainable energy provision is of great importance.
Some examples:
- Since 1999, farmers in Recht have managed their own biogas installation. At the time, they were clear pioneers in this effort. The installation does not emit any CO² and also contributes to environmental protection in that mineral fertilizers are no longer needed. At this facility, the community's manure and waste from both food production and vegetable matter are processed.
- In the last few years, many municipalities have installed district heating networks for their public buildings: in schools, churches, sports complexes and city halls, heat is provided in many places by community central heating systems. The best example is the wood chip heating system and heat distribution network in "The Triangle," a cultural, conference and trade fair complex in the German-speaking Community Services Centre in St. Vith.
- The biomass facility Renogen S.A. produces electricity and heat with wood waste that comes mainly from within the region. The electricity produced is delivered in its entirety to the network, and heat is supplied directly to two community enterprises. They use this heat in order to dry the end products that they produce (pellets, sawdust, boards, etc.)
For more information about the German-speaking community, please visit www.dg.be.
Discover the German-speaking Community at Agribex
Would you like to get to know the German-speaking community of Belgium? Then by all means, visit our booth on the patio of the fairgrounds. There you will find useful information from the staff from the German-speaking community and the Tourist Office. Information about rural development is also available. Our regional producers will let you experience just how great things taste in the German-speaking Community.
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