12/03/2009

Commission publishes stakeholders' opinions on agricultural product quality policy

Today the European Commission publishes the summary of the 560 stakeholder opinions submitted in response to the Green Paper on agricultural product quality policy.

Marianne Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, who is opening the Czech Presidency High Level Conference on Agricultural Quality Policy, said: "The response to the Green paper was highly satisfactory. 560 individuals and organisations responded which was far more than anticipated. This illustrates the considerable interest in quality products and labelling and certification schemes. These responses will now be used in the preparation of the Communication on quality policy, due for publication in May, which will set the strategic direction for the policy."

The main conclusions of the consultation are:

• Support for further simplification of marketing standards while keeping the current legislative approach;

• clarification and harmonisation of the Geographical Indication schemes and for increased protection at international level;

• support for improvements to the traditional specialties scheme;

• improvements in the operation of private and national certification schemes and guidelines should be sufficient; and finally

• support for compulsory indication of the place-of-farming where justified on a sector-by-sector approach.

Following the results of the consultation on the Green Paper and the conclusions of the Czech Presidency Quality Policy Conference, a Commission Communication is expected to be adopted on 27 May. It will lay down strategic orientations and will be another opportunity to advance the debate before any legislative proposals. Stakeholders will be invited to react to the Communication and legislative proposals could be tabled in 2010.

EU agricultural product quality policy

Read the opinions received