European farmers, through Copa-Cogeca – a collective which brings together professional organizations and cooperatives from the European sector – want to warn of the risk of fraud represented by the drop in production and the increase in commodity prices. olive oil. Concretely, Fernando do Rosario, president of the olive oil working group of this organization, once again insisted on two keys to solving this “serious problem” that surrounds the olive sector.
Let us begin by recalling the need to “reform the current marketing rules in the sector”. EU» so that the sale of blends of olive oils in countries where their production is not authorized can be banned at European level.
It should be remembered that in Spain it is prohibited to mix olive oils with other oils. vegetables But since this is not banned at the European level, you can find products of this type manufactured in other EU member countries completely legally.
“If olive oil from a Member State prohibiting mixtures is exported to another country of the European Union Where permitted, blended oil can be re-imported and sold in its original state,” acknowledges the Copa-Cogeca representative, which “goes against the intention of the original ban.”
Joint work
“Consumers deserve to know that when they buy olive oil, they are receiving pure olive oil, not a blend of lower quality products,” he says. “When consumers are unaware of the differences between different types of olive oil“Fraudulent practices are becoming more and more frequent,” warns Copa Cogeca.
This is why they consider it crucial, on the one hand, to “strengthen administrative responses and criminal sanctions” against fraudsters and, in return, to invest in consumer education. “Once they know the distinctions between extra virgin, virgin, lampante and refined olive oils, as well as the processes and aromas involved, the rate of deception will decrease,” explains Do Rosario, because “lower-grade products quality will be avoided. “”.
Internal market cohesion
On the other hand, Copa-Cogeca requires tackling the presentation of olive oil. Although some member states, such as Spain, have stricter regulations requiring non-refillable olive oil bottles in restaurants and establishments, the truth is that it is not a community regulation. “The harmonization of these rules across the EU would not only promote the cohesion of the internal market and facilitate trade, but also guarantee safety, quality and consumer protection,” says Copa-Cogeca.
For all these reasons, this organization urges the olive sector, institutions and consumer organizations “to work together to improve traceability, with emphasis on blends and packaging”, because the producing countries in the north of Africa and the Middle East, such as Tunisia or Morocco, are direct competitors for European olive oil.
“The transformation of European consumers towards olive oil from outside the EU constitutes a threat for the Union’s high-quality production standards”, they forcefully warn.
