future of agricultural products quality policy prague, 12-13 march 2009 1 the future of the policy...

Future of agricultural products quality policyPrague, 12-13 March 2009

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The future of the policy of quality of food products and its importance for

mountain food products

Elena Di Bella, Euromontana Future of agricultural products quality policyPrague, 12-13 March 2009

Future of agricultural products quality policyPrague, 12-13 March 2009

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• Association gathering a large network in Europe:67 organisations from 17 countries in Europe (EU and non-EU)

• Diverse and multi-sectorial competences:regional development agencies, local authorities, agricultural and forestry organisations, chambers of commerce and industry, environmental agencies, research institutes, etc.

• Our mission: promoting sustainable development and quality of life in mountain areasthrough exchange of experiences, dissemination of strategic information, studies and research projects, organisation of conferences

What is Euromontana?

Future of agricultural products quality policyPrague, 12-13 March 2009

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Euromontana’s work on mountain quality food products

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5 observations supporting our approach on mountain products:

• Role of agriculture for preservation and valorisation of the mountain heritage (biodiversity, culture, quality of life of european populations = Positive externalities);

• Food and agricultural production in mountain more expensive – need to look for supplementary added value;

• Promise to consumers when using of the word « mountain », not to be deceived. (positive capital of the « mountain » term);

• Absence of definition for « mountain products » in most of the European countries.

• Many mountain products are not protected by an official identification (PDO/ PGI/ TSG/ Organic / national identification: 39/122 products studied in the FP5 mountain product project)

Future of agricultural products quality policyPrague, 12-13 March 2009

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Euromontana’s work on products

1999 - 2000: reflection started with a working group3 seminaries, 2nd European Mountain Convention – DG Agri

2002 -2004: Project European research project to characterise products - DG research project – FP5

2005: Launch of the European Charter of mountain quality food products – European Parliament Currently 69 signatories from 12 European countries – 3 governments

2007 - 2010: European Project – consumption/ retailing DG Research project – FP6 – 10 partners – 6 countries

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Euromontana Position on the Green Paper on the policy of

quality of food products

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Green Paper on the policy of quality of products – some general observations

• Prerequisite: sanitary quality as a basis

• Satisfaction to see that the issue of mountain products is dealt with

• Reservations about the general orientation of the Green Paper– deregulation– Absence of link with rural development → simplification of regulations/ procedures

(=economies) must not been done to the detriment of (large and small scale) producers nor of consumers

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Marketing standardsOur position (1/4)

• Standards and identity of products– Definition of products and quality and size

classifications : advantage for producers and consumers. Indispensable to avoid compexification of the system

– Retailing of products not meeting aesthetic standards: reduction of production costs et limitation of a waste

– Proposal: adding one or two classes for products out of size?

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• Optional reserved terms:- Definition at EU level: create segmentation of

markets, with possibility to distinguish quality products

= asset for territories

Marketing standardsOur position (2/4)

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– European protection for mountain products• Strong expectations from consumers who must be reassured

concerning the origin of products (results of EuroMARC)• Reserved term = a mean to recognise the importance and

the role of mountain agriculture• Protection of mountain term must go with a protection of

related terms and of mountain image• Reserved term of mountain label?

Reflection going on with the EuroMARC project

Marketing standardsOur position (3/4)

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• Adding value to products: having a set of adapted tools – Reserved term or mountain label– Geographical indications

» PGI: optional possibility to indicate the origin of raw material

» Denomination for local products

• Agriculture and processing of food take place in a socio-economical context → policies must be elaborated taking the context into account

Marketing standardsOur position (4/4)

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Thanks for your attention !

Euromontana Position available on

www.euromontana.org

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