‘The green light for the Ligurian Taggiasca olives PGI from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry has arrived after a 20-year endeavour from Ligurian companies, not to forget about our support to the process over the last few months (technical tables and commissions).
This accomplishment paves the way for the completion of the procedure with the European Commission: it will allow Ligurian production to stand out, promoting our farmers’ commitment. Ligurian taggiasca has always represented an icon of excellence. Now, its value is highlighted in the eyes of consumers beyond our borders, too. It is more than a brand: it is a new start for the whole industry’. President of Regione Liguria Giovanni Toti and Vice-President and Councillor in charge of Agriculture and Territorial Marketing Alessandro Piana underline the joint efforts to obtain IGP (i.e., PGI, Protected Geographical Indication) labelling for Taggiasca olives: regional departments, national ministry, local institutions, the Association of Ligurian Taggiasca Olive Producers, professional and category associations, consortia, the system of the Chambers of Commerce, the Unione Industriali and a multitude of authorities, farmers and business players.
‘I would like to thank the businesses that have always believed in traced and quality products. Together with the regional branches of the production, artisan and industrial supply chain organisations, Regione Liguria and institutions, these businesses have supported the process towards the Ligurian Taggiasca IGP Olive,’ says Carlo Siffredi, President of the proposing Association. This is a pivotal step – as well as the modification of the production specification of Riviera Ligure PDO EVO – towards the protection and the valorisation of the Ligurian Taggiasca olive. We will immediately ask for transitional protection for Ligurian Taggiasca olives to foster the new positioning of Ligurian businesses on the market thanks to a quality product linked to our territory’.
