PDO and PGI lesson

CSQA is the only certification body involved in the provision of an itinerant training course (Paris, Lisbon and Milan) financed by the European Commission on Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Guaranteed Traditional Specialty (TSG).

The initiative, funded by the European Union, is made up of a course of 12 meetings , which began in November 2013 and will end in February 2015, in which around 30 members participate for each session . The training activity will therefore involve a total of 360 European and non-European officials who will deal with controls on PDO/PGI/TSG matters for the Competent Authorities of their own countries. Of the total number of participants, 70% come from the PAs of the European Union and 30% from non-EU countries including Thailand, China, Brazil, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Jordan and Lithuania.

In addition to Maria Chiara Ferrarese, Research and Development manager of CSQA, professors of the caliber of Corinne Couillerot, Project Manager of REDD SA, Irina Kireeva and Bernard O'Connor, NCTM O'Connor Associated Law Firm, Leo Bertozzi, Former Director of the Consortium for the protection of Parmigiano Reggiano and current President of the Italian committee of the Italian Dairy Federation, and Massimo Vittori, Secretary General of OriGIn , of which CSQA is a member, are involved. OriGin is the global alliance of producer associations and institutions working in the sector of products of origin; it represents about 350 consortia of producers from 40 countries and has the aim of promoting effective legal protection of geographical indications, denouncing abuses and enhancing original products as a tool for sustainable development.

“ The course on PDO/PGI/TSG - said Pietro Bonato , Director General of CSQA - is part of the BTSF- Better Training for Safer Food program that the European Commission promotes to increase the knowledge and professionalism of the Member States, and not only, by harmonizing the legislation, with respect to the topics of greatest interest such as for example the control of Designations of Origin, food safety, BIO, and e-commerce. Contributing to the achievement of this goal is a source of great pride for us ”.

“ As a teacher - said Maria Chiara Ferrarese , Agro, Food & Packaging Executive Manager and Project & Innovation Executive Manager of CSQA - I realized how important the process of training specific professionals is, which the European Community is carrying out. The courses represent moments of meeting and comparison between different cultures and approaches to food, which contribute to harmonizing the European procedures on PDO / PGI / TSG. Italy, in this sector, certainly ranks among the most prepared and avant-garde countries as also highlighted by the report of the European Commission which recently verified Italy ”.

Rome, 16 October 2014