WELCOME INTRODUCTION

On behalf of the organizing committee, I would like to wish you all welcome here. to begin this meeting here in Rennes, I would like to give you some features of this symposium by using the letters of the title of this congress, i.e BRASSICA.

The letter B will go for Brittany. Shall I say Beautiful Brittany in the heart of which we are in Rennes ? This region is the most important French region for cole crops ; as much as it is the heart of Breton language, it is the heart for cole Breton vegetables. When speaking of Brittany, I am glad to thank here Conseil Régional de Bretagne for his support of our everyday research and also for the support of this symposium.

The letter R will be for Rennes which is the town of this congress. There is, here in Rennes in our INRA and ENSA laboratories, an important scientific community who is happy to organize for you this meeting, on this occasion, I would also very much like to give thanks to the city of Rennes who has kindly granted us for this Brassica symposium.

The letter A goes for All disciplines relevant to Crucifer species. From biotechnology to physiology and agronomy, I hope everybody will find his own satisfaction.

The first S comes for Support. We have got for this symposium the support of many companies and authorities without the help of which this event could not take place.

The second S will be devoted to the Scientific community assembled here. on this occasion, I am quite happy to say that this symposium welcomes 350 members from more than 30 countries.

I and C will go together for the joint organizations ISHS and Cr GC. We are proud to have been chosen for the joint symposium of these two prestigious organizations.

C will also go for Colleagues. I really want to say again thanks to the colleagues of our institutes for the friendly atmosphere which has accompanied all this organization. It was really a story of friends as well as a scientific story.

The last A will concern Autumn, especially autumn in Brittany. I hope you will enjoy this mild autumn season in Brittany !

On behalf of the organization Committee, please be welcome here in Rennes ! I hope you will enjoy our campus place, Brittany and the work in this symposium.