Protecting and promoting quality products in Europe: the role of AREPO Carolina Gario Policy Officer AREPO
What is AREPO? Association of European Regions for Products of Origin > 27 Regions > 40% of GIs in
Our mission Protecting and promoting quality products in Europe; Strengthening the European policy on geographical indications and quality products; Granting a fair communication to consumers; Granting a reasonable remuneration of the work of producers.
AREPO’s assets: A consolidated network of regions and professionals that generates negotiated and comprehensive policy guidelines Multinational expertise on quality policies Strong relations with European institutions A representation office in Brussels Recognition as one of the main stakeholders in the sectors of quality policies.
How we work Monitoring Members consultation Drafting of a negotiated position Dissemination of position Feedback Letters Bilateral meetings with relevant stakeholders and policy-makers Events Conflicting ideas Stakeholders involved …
How we reach stronger positions Negotiation b/w regions and producers Negotiation b/w Different regions and countries Stronger common position
Main working areas The Quality Package The CAP Promotion Policy Local Products Sectorial working groups European Projects Communication Thematic Partnerships Improving our representativeness
Main goals reached over the past year The Quality Package The CAP Promotion Policy Local Products A better protection of GIs Ex-officio Third countries better definition Recognition of mountain products Simplification of the procedures All of our amendments presented by the ComAgri - Ongoing - The report by Mr Bové highlights the importance of targeting support for promotion to quality - Ongoing - Recognition as expert members within the restrained consultative group on local products of DG Agri - Ongoing -
Thank you for your attention Carolina Gario Policy Officer AREPO