AREPO Quality

AREPO - Association of European Regions for Products of Origin AREPO is a network of REGIONS and PRODUCER ASSOCIATIONS that deals with EU quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs. The network was founded in May 2004 by 16 Regions from 6 European countries. · AREPO now represents 33 REGIONS from 8 different European countries and more than 700 producer associations, for over 60% of EU GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS. · The main objective of the network is to PROMOTE and DEFEND the interests of producers and consumers of European Regions involved in the VALORIZATION of QUALITY and ORIGIN products. Ms Begoña García Bernal, Regional Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development, Population and Territory of Extremadura, was elected President of AREPO in october 2021. The Secretary General, Laurent Gomez, leads and manages the network. AREPO’S MISSIONS ARE: In relation to regions: · TO DEFEND AND PROMOTE EU QUALITY SCHEMES: Geographical Indications, namely Protected Designation of Origin -PDO- and Protected Geographical Indications -PGI-; Traditional Specialties Guaranteed -TSG-; Organic Farming and Optional Quality Terms as “Mountain product” as tools for rural development and territorial planning; · TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN the position of these quality schemes in the EU policies. In relation to producers: · TO PROTECT THE PRODUCERS guaranteeing the valorization and protection of their products on the European market, as well as in third countries; · The guarantee of good income conditions for producers; · Lobbying to ensure that quality finds its proper place within promotion policies. In relation to consumers: · TO PROTECT CONSUMERS through an appropriate and transparent communication. Moreover, lobbying activities of AREPO are enhanced by its participation in three Civil Dialogue Groups of the DG AGRI with two seats in the "quality and promotion" group, two seats in the "organic agriculture" group and one seat in the "rural development" group.