Brussels, 16/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - New measures to enhance labelling and improve the image of European olive oil were ratified on Tuesday during the “common organisation of agricultural markets” committee meeting.
An indicative vote on a draft regulation on marketing standards (Regulation No. 29/2012) took place in the management committee meeting on 6 February this year. The regulation includes provisions to better protect and inform consumers. Labelling must indicate the name of the product and its origin more visibly and transparently. A special provision for olive oil will be indicated on the label and made available to catering sector customers, stipulating that olive oil bottles used must be equipped with a protection system that prevents them from being re-used after the contents are finished.
The draft regulation was notified to the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) “technical barriers to trade committee”, (“TBC”). This committee had 60 days to formulate any possible observations but none have been notified in this connection. Therefore, this project was submitted to a formal vote today at the management committee. The vote resulted in a non-opinion, namely, although a majority of member states voted in favour of the Commission's proposal, no qualified majority was reached on it. Following this “non-opinion”, the Commission is in a position to adopt its proposal.
The European Union is the biggest producer, consumer and exporter of olive oil in the world. Enhancing labelling is part of the olive oil action plan presented in June 2012 by European Commissioner Dacian Cioloº. After adoption by the Commission, the new measure is expected to be published in the Official Journal by mid June 2013, to enter into force on 1 January 2014. (LC/trans.fl)