Author: Francesca Alampi (AREPO)
On 25 June 2024, the MOVING partner AREPO and Euromontana, participated in the virtual meeting of the European Commission’s DG Agri Civil Dialogue Group (CDG) “Quality and Promotion” to present and discuss with officials from DG Agri and EU agri-food stakeholders the results of the analysis on the implementation of the EU Optional Quality Term (OQT) “mountain product”.
This report, written in collaboration with Euromontana and Highclere Consulting (HCC) and part of the research produced within the MOVING project, aims to contribute to develop evidence-based recommendations to further strengthen the OQT “mountain product” as a voluntary quality scheme providing recognition and support for agricultural products originating in mountain areas and acknowledging the challenges and opportunities associated with mountain farming.
The study had already caught the attention of the Commission following the April conference dedicated to opportunities and challenges for mountain and GI products, during which it was officially presented to the public.
The CDG “Quality and Promotion”, of which AREPO and Euromontana have been active members for many years, provided further opportunity to discuss with stakeholders representing different domain of the EU agri-food sector the state of implementation of the OQT “mountain product” and the policy recommendations drawn up.
Agricultural civil dialogue groups
Civil Dialogue Groups (CDGs) are Commission expert groups providing a single legal and procedural framework for consultation of non-governmental stakeholders. The CDGs guarantee a forum where stakeholders can assist the European Commission in the preparation of policy initiatives, providing advice and specific expertise; allow for an exchange of experiences and best practices among its participants, including dissemination of information; and allow stakeholders to monitor the policy developments in the area of their activities.
More information about the analysis on the implementation of the EU Optional Quality Term (OQT) “mountain product” are available here: https://www.moving-h2020.eu/news/analysis-of-the-implementation-of-the-eu-optional-quality-term-mountain-product/
Click here to read the full report in English. Click here to access translations in FR, IT, RO.