Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March 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 policy Prague, March 2009

Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March 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 areas through exchange of experiences, dissemination of strategic information, studies and research projects, organisation of conferences What is Euromontana?

Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March Euromontana’s work on mountain quality food products

Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March 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 policy Prague, March Euromontana’s work on products : reflection started with a working group 3 seminaries, 2 nd European Mountain Convention – DG Agri : Project European research project to characterise products - DG research project – FP : Launch of the European Charter of mountain quality food products – European Parliament Currently 69 signatories from 12 European countries – 3 governments : European Project – consumption/ retailing DG Research project – FP6 – 10 partners – 6 countries

Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March Euromontana Position on the Green Paper on the policy of quality of food products

Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March 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

Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March Marketing standards Our 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?

Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March Optional reserved terms: -Definition at EU level: create segmentation of markets, with possibility to distinguish quality products = asset for territories Marketing standards Our position (2/4)

Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March –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 standards Our position (3/4)

Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March 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 standards Our position (4/4)

Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March Thanks for your attention ! Euromontana Position available on

Future of agricultural products quality policy Prague, March