Press Release: Getting the most out of EU-quality food and drink: Commission launches a consultation on agricultural product quality

On 15 October, 2008, the European Commission adopted a Green Paper to open the debate on how to help European farmers make the most of the quality of the food and drinks they produce. As globalisation spreads, pressure increases from low cost products from overseas and consumer demands evolve, Europe's most potent weapon is 'quality'. The Green Paper looks at the range of standards, quality and certification programmes and labelling schemes currently operating in the EU – including geographical indications, organic farming, and private and regional food quality certification schemes – and asks what could be done better to exploit the strengths of EU farming and better inform consumers about the products on offer. The paper asks stakeholders to give their views on how effective these measures are in delivering guarantees and communicating the qualities of the products, and to suggest improvements. The consultation period will run until the end of 2008. A Communication will be prepared next year based on the results, which could lead to legislative proposals at a later stage.

European Commission: SPEECH/08/526: Getting the most out of EU quality food and drink http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/08/526&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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