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Mountain products enjoy new certification

19.12.2014

Representatives of Euromontana gathered in Bilbao to discuss how mountain products can boost mountain development and to launch the approval of the quality term "mountain product".

Thanks to a specific regulation and associated delegated act, this certification will provide recognition of mountain products and a new opportunity which could benefit  many European mountain areas, producers and the general public, as consumers associate the term “mountain” with the idea of purity, authenticity and quality. This certification enables mountain chain actors, while respecting the criteria regarding the origin of food and raw materials and the place of production and processing defined in the delegated act, to have access to a new market segment and promote mountain products throughout the EU and elsewhere.

During the IXth European Mountain Convention, held on 23-24 October, members discussed how local mountain quality products have specific characteristics due of the production environment, the quality of natural resources and the traditional techniques and know-how used for their production and processing. They are also a way of representing mountain heritage, through the promotion of landscapes, customs and traditions.

“Quality mountain products are an integral part of mountain territories and are an opportunity for a fair economic development of these areas,” said Rosalaura Romeo, Mountain Partnership Secretariat, who presented at the Bilbao Convention the links between mountains and family farming. “Family farming is the main model of agriculture in mountain areas and contributes to achieve food security, the protection of natural resources and economic income”.  The Convention also focused on how the family dimension of mountain farming can be valorised positively in product and services labelling and promotion strategies.

A declaration was issued, focusing on the various dimensions which are essential for a sustainable development of the mountain supply chain.

Read the Declaration of Bilbao (English, French)

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