Brussels, 24/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - In conclusions on the strategy aimed at improving the quality of olive oil, adopted on Monday by the Agriculture Council, the ministers consider that the European Commission should consolidate certain aspects of olive oil production and marketing. The Council calls on the Commission to bear in mind the following list of actions before proposing more detailed reform of the sector:
- Production. As far as the elaboration of a code of good practice for oil production and a code of good milling practices are concerned, it was noted that the International Oil Council has undertaken work in this connection and that, at the appropriate time, the results should be used in the context of the next reform of the sector at Community level. It was agreed that new standards should be fixed by the Commission as a matter of urgency, in consultation with the International Oil Council, in order to make a better distinction between "crude olive residue oil" and "virgin lampante olilve oil" as soon as methods of chemical analysis are available. It was urgently agreed that a procedure should be adopted allowing for adjusting and controlling the olive oil in mills if it does not meet the classification standards.
- Labelling. Regarding blended olive oils with oilseed oils or vegetable oils, the Council agreed to provide new requirements to achieve exact, clearer and stricter labelling of these products, even if some Member States would like these blends banned. According to the Fifteen, it is necessary to ban "misleading quality indications", such as the sole mention of the degree of acidity in the olive oil. Furthermore, the Council points out that an agreement was reached on the standardisation of certain optional indications, such as "première pression à froid" (first cold press) or "fruity", on condition that these may be verified.
An agreement was reached over the urgent need to rule for a clear and unambiguous position with regards to the indication of origin, on the basis of a labelling that indicates the country of harvest for the olives and the country where the oil is produced. If this concerns the same country, this is indicated on the label. If this concern two different countries, they must both be mentioned.
- Controls: The Council considers urgent to establish (at the Community level) specifications on the new details for the "panel test" COI method, by taking into account the approach that would be the most suitable for the specific organoleptic characteristics of olive oil enjoying the protected name of origin, it was also agreed that the first trial would be carried out by a certified panel rather than by an individual expert. The Council called for the completion of the works in view of the establishment of a "decision-making plan" for the analysts covering the classification of olive oil and oil from oil residue, by taking into account the new classification of olive oil. The Council agreed to accelerate the drafting of the appropriate analysis methods allowing for the detection of fraudulent mixes, such as the mixing of olive oil and nut oil, and to detect deodorised olive oils.
A favourable trend was found for only the airtight containers with a content of 5 litres to be used for the marketing of olive oil, on condition of foreseeing the derogations needed for catering services. The Council invites the Commission to cooperate in a constructive manner with the COI and the Codex Alimenatrius in view of harmonising standards.
