AREPO

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AREPO aims to promote and defend the interests of producers and consumers of European regions involved in the valorisation of quality food products.

AREPO is a network of regional governments and producer associations that deals with products of origin. It aims to promote and defend the interests of producers and consumers of European regions involved in the valorisation of quality food products. AREPO was established in May 2004 in Bordeaux by 16 regions from six EU countries, and it now represents 33 European regions and more than 700 associations of producers for over 60% of EU GIs. STRUCTURE:

- College of Regions: chaired by the Region of Extremadura;
- College of Producers Representatives: chaired by the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano. This college proposes to the vote of the General Assembly the candidate for the vice-presidency of the Association;
- College of Associated Members: consultative body made up of the organisations that have signed a partnership agreement with AREPO (thematic, territorial, scientific organisations and networks, etc.);
- Scientific Council: made up of experts from universities and research centres from AREPO member regions. A new President is elected every three years. Ms Begoña García Bernal, Regional Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development, Population and Territory of Extremadura, was elected President of AREPO in October 2021. The Executive Board is the governing body of the Association. It leads the work of the Association and deliberates on its behalf in the interval between General Assemblies. It is chaired by the President of the association. Currently the members of the Board are:
- President: Ms Begoña García Bernal, Regional Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development, Population and Territory of Extremadura;
- Vice-President: Mr Nicola Bertinelli, President of the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano;
- Treasurer: Ms. Patricia Picard, Regional Councillor of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The Secretary General directs and manages the network. A Representation Office in Brussels coordinates AREPO’s lobbying activities and the relations with EU Institutions.

15/10/2026

🇪🇺 GI are a strategic investment in the future of European producers and rural areas.

Today, at our General Assembly in Mantova, we adopted the Mantua Declaration on the Future of European Geographical Indications. Supported by an annex with policy recommendations, it contributes to the EU initiative on GIs announced for 2027 by Commissioner Christophe Hansen.

We call for an ambitious Action Plan built around six priorities, with Member States, Regions and producer groups actively involved in its design and implementation:
🔹Support GIs from registration to long-term development.
🔹Strengthen producer groups and ensure a fairer distribution of value.
🔹Bring GIs closer to citizens through stronger communication and promotion.
🔹Support generational renewal, innovation, sustainability and climate adaptation.
🔹Recognise Regions as implementation and governance partners.
🔹Deliver measurable results and better monitoring without additional administrative burdens.

AREPO President, Alessandro Beduschi, presented the Declaration during a public session on the future of EU GIs, with contributions from Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, Diego Canga Fano from DG AGRI and MEP Carlo Fidanza, alongside other institutional and sector representatives.

🔗 For more information read the press release:https://www.arepoquality.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/en_arepo-general-assembly_press-release_mantova-declaration.pdf

06/07/2026

EN/ 📢Take your chance to contribute to a better understanding of the role of in building more sustainable agri-food systems!

Within the , the following survey seeks to gather the views of producers, producer groups, public authorities, certification bodies, associations and citizens on the contribution of GIs to sustainable development.

We encourage our members and the wider GI community to take a few minutes to participate and to share the survey with their networks!

🔗 https://lnkd.in/eiMNYZ6
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FR/ 📢 Saisissez cette occasion de contribuer à une meilleure compréhension du rôle des dans la construction de systèmes agroalimentaires plus durables !

Dans le cadre du projet , cette enquête vise à recueillir les points de vue des producteurs, des groupements de producteurs, des autorités publiques, des organismes de certification, des associations et des citoyens sur la contribution des indications géographiques au développement durable.

Nous encourageons nos membres ainsi que l'ensemble de la communauté des indications géographiques à prendre quelques minutes pour y répondre et à la diffuser au sein de leurs réseaux !

🔗 https://lnkd.in/eiMNYZ6

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗜𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀! 💡 As part of its research activities, GI SMART ...

01/07/2026

Strong producer groups and committed local and regional authorities (LRAs) are both essential to ensure that Geographical Indications (GIs) continue to create for producers, consumers and rural territories.

That is why AREPO was proud to co-organise this workshop, held as the 4th meeting of the GI SMART Multi-Actor Platform , within the .

The study commissioned by the Committee of the Regions on the role of LRAs in supporting GIs, presented during the workshop, reinforces the message that regional authorities have a key part to play in helping GI schemes develop and generate value for producers and rural communities.
Building on this recognition will be essential to further strengthen and expand the uptake of GIs across the EU.
Interested in the study? It is available here: https://lnkd.in/eCiDNAU5

As the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 moves forward, exchanges between national authorities, regional authorities and GI producer groups are essential to ensure that the new framework delivers tangible benefits for producers and rural territories. The recognition and empowerment of GI producer groups is a key step towards strengthening the governance of across the EU.

A sincere thank you to the European Committee of the Regions and, in particular, to Karine Gloanec Maurin for hosting the event.
A special thank you to Olivier Beucherie for leading an insightful exchange of national experiences on the recognition of GI producer groups across the EU.
Last but certainly not least, a huge thank you to all the Ministries, producers and stakeholders who contributed to such a rich discussion!
We look forward to continuing this work together!

If you missed the event, do not worry! The event report and recording will be available soon on the website.

19/05/2026

The inspiring experience of Milano 2026 has come to an end.

Over the past days, Geographical Indications took centre stage within the AREPO Hub, a space dedicated to showcasing the richness, diversity and excellence of our member regions, their products and their producers.

This was made possible thanks to the remarkable organisational effort of Regione Lombardia, currently holding the Presidency of AREPO with its regional Minister for Agriculture Mr Alessandro Beduschi, which strongly believed in the opportunity offered by TUTTOFOOD to give visibility to AREPO member regions and to the quality products rooted in their territories.

It was a meaningful experience of discovery: of products, territories, stories and people. We warmly thank the regions and the GI producer groups who joined us, shared their products with the public, and guided us through their history, their taste and the unique know-how behind each production.

TUTTOFOOD has also shone a spotlight on the economic, social and cultural value of EU Geographical Indications, increasingly recognised as strategic tools for protecting quality productions, supporting the growth of rural areas, strengthening sustainable value chains and defending EU’s agri-food heritage on international markets.

Beyond the success of this edition, TUTTOFOOD Milano 2026 also hinted at the potential for a broader shared journey to further promote and celebrate EU Geographical Indications, bringing the richness of regional agri-food excellence, traditions and know-how closer to citizens and international audiences.

11/05/2026

Great start at TuttoFood Milano!

A dynamic first day of exchanges, tastings and showcookings dedicated to EU Geographical Indications.

An important moment of dialogue took place during the afternoon session, bringing together the President of AREPO, Alessandro Beduschi, the Italian Minister for Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, representatives of oriGIn, the Organization for an international Geographical Indications network, MEP Carlo Fidanza and Prof. Paolo De Castro.

The discussion highlighted the strategic role of GIs in strengthening local territories, supporting producers and enhancing the competitiveness of the EU agri-food sector.

08/05/2026

From 11 to 14 May, AREPO will be present at TuttoFood Milano, one of the leading international events dedicated to the agri-food sector.

Meet us at the AREPO Hub (Hall 3, area V13), where AREPO member regions will showcase their products, experiences and initiatives promoting high-quality European productions and the value of EU

Talks in the AREPO Vision Arena, tastings, showcookings and exchanges throughout the four-day event will highlight the richness and diversity of EU PDO and PGI products and open discussions on the future of Geographical Indications, sustainability and territorial development. will also be part of the conversation, bringing insights on how GIs can further contribute to sustainable development and innovation across European territories.

A special thanks to Region, currently holding the Presidency of AREPO, for coordinating the organisation of the AREPO Hub and programme at TUTTOFOOD Milano.

📍 Fiera Milano Rho – Hall 3, area V13
📅 11–14 May
See you at TUTTOFOOD!
https://www.tuttofood.it/arepo-hub/

Percorso multilivello per professionisti del Retail e della distribuzione Horeca, alla scoperta delle eccellenze europee DOP, IGP e STG.

30/04/2026

Last week, the 6th AREPO European Event on Quality and Origin Products took place in Brussels 🇪🇺, placing the city at the heart of a major conversation on the future of hashtag in Europe.

Organised in collaboration with the Horizon Europe GI SMART project, which provided valuable scientific inputs to the discussion, the event also marked the 3rd meeting of the GI SMART EU MAP.

Over the course of the day, EU policymakers, researchers, regional representatives, and producers engaged in a constructive dialogue on how Geographical Indications can further contribute to regional socioeconomic development, sustainability, and EU competitiveness.

Key themes included:
✅ Communicating GI sustainability to consumers
✅ Strengthening EU, national and regional policy frameworks on GIs
✅ Preparing for the CAP post-2027 and the upcoming EU Action Plan on GIs

🍷🧀 The day concluded with a tasting of GI products from 24 AREPO member regions, offering a unique moment of discovery and showcasing the richness and diversity of EU territories, as well as the dedication and expertise of the producers behind these emblematic products.

👉 Read the full article to find out more about the event and how GIs fit into the future of European agri-food policy. ->

After three years, the AREPO European Event on Quality and Origin Products returned for its sixth edition on 23 April 2026 at the Common House of Hessen, Emilia-Romagna, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Wielkopolska. Organised in collaboration with the Horizon Europe project GI SMART, the event also marked ...

23/04/2026

The 6th edition of the 𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 is now underway in Brussels, opening with a welcome address from our President, Mr. Alessandro Beduschi!

A key moment bringing together European stakeholders to shape the future of Geographical Indications 🇪🇺

17/04/2026

Looking forward to welcoming you all to the 6th edition of the AREPO “European event on quality and origin products”, organised in collaboration with the Horizon Europe project GI SMART 🇪🇺!
📆 23 April 2026
📍 Brussels, Common House of Hessen, Emilia-Romagna, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Wielkopolska
2.00 PM - 6.30 PM | Conference “From research to action: guiding future EU Policies to enhance territorial impacts of Geographical Indications”
7.00 PM - 10.30 PM | Tasting of regional quality products from AREPO member Regions
👉 https://bit.ly/4vA4Ff1

Adresse

Hôtel De Région/14, Rue François De Sourdis
Bordeaux
33077

Site Web

http://www.arepoquality.eu/

Notifications

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