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


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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?


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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)


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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



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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



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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



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Thanks for your attention !

Euromontana Position available on

www.euromontana.org


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

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