A collection of signatures to protect the name of origin of Kalamata olives is underway, as the designation of origin of the special Greek delicacy is in danger.
The protection of the particular olive as Product with Designation of Origin (PDO) is a matter of great concern to local producers of the Messinia region.
The text that accompanies the signature collection campaign is as follows:
“The name “Kalamata Olive” is Greek. We say YES to its exploitation! NO to the removal of the name protection!
The protected designation of origin (PDO) KALAMATA OLIVE is the oldest and most renowned Greek table olive globally. With the method of treatment of the product and the intellectual property of Messinian land, the name is established by the selection of Kalamata as the capital of Messinia by (the first governor of Greece) Ioannis Kapodistrias. From the port from which it was exported to the West.
Although the name is established and registered in the EU Since 1996, first the mismanagement of the Greek State and, secondly, the depreciation of the value of the name, the lack of any control on the movement of the product in Greek and foreign markets, Greece’s unruly conception of quality systems enabled a giant abuse to its name in Greece and abroad.
The name of the well known product today is at its lowest commercial value in relation to its potential.
It is an issue of national interest to fully utilize the KALAMATA OLIVE name. The negative state the country is in requires it!
The first step in this direction is to update the standards of production and the expansion of the geographical area in the regions that claim historical links with the product, in the current EU regulations that apply.
It is several years now that Messinians ask for changes in specifications towards the target mentioned.
Under the pressure of those who have abused the name and push to make the Kalamata Olive a non-PDO product, which in practice means the removal of PDO and the loss of the Hellenic identity of the product, the ministry (of agriculture) procrastinates for five years now. It doesn’t open the specific consultation and does not forward the appropriate file to the competent European Commission authorities for approval.
We ask the ministry to abandon their scruples, to apply the rules and start the specification modification process for the complete recovery of the PDO product.
From you, we ask for your support in our request.
Those who want to sign the above petition, they can do so here.
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