Thessaly region (Greece) hosted AREPO second General Assembly in 2024, in the vibrant city of Larissa.
The Assembly, held at the Regional Council Auditorium on 23 October, drew together representatives from regions and GI producers across Europe, to elect the new Board of the Association and to discuss the EU’s upcoming agricultural agenda and the first steps of EU-funded GI SMART project. The day after, participants had the chance to better know some Greek GI production through technical visits.
The New AREPO Executive Board
Participants to the General Assembly received a warm welcome by Mr Dimitris Kouretas, Governor of the region of Thessaly, who presented the region and its products reminding Thessaly commitment within AREPO.
Then, the work of the Assembly began with a comprehensive summary and commentary from the outgoing Executive Board on the main achievements and results of their three-years mandate.
The outgoing President, Ms Mercedes Morán Álvarez, Regional Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Sustainable Development of Extremadura, couldn’t participate in the plenary and sent a video message to the members to stress the progress that has been made together over the past three years and pass the baton to the next presidency. For this reason, Mr José Manuel Benítez Medina, Director General for Agriculture and Livestock of Extremadura, replaced the President for the presentation of the activity report, which highlighted the milestones achieved over the 3 years mandate, and for leaving some inputs and suggestions for the next mandate.
Following this, the outgoing Vice-President, Mr Guglielmo Garagnani shared additional insights on the realised activities and the contribution of the college of producers to this, and Treasurer, Ms Patricia Picard, reported on the sound state of the association’s finances.
The Assembly then moved to the presentation of candidates for the new Executive Board.
Mr Alessandro Beduschi, Minister of Agriculture of Lombardia region (Italy), presented the candidacy of his region to the Presidency of the Association. ‘The new Regulation […]– he stated – opens us up to very interesting scenarios. It is not only about strengthening the legal protections of GIs, but also about fully embracing the important challenge of sustainability, which is not only environmental, but also economic and social. Today more than ever, sustainability cannot be seen as an optional extra, but as a cardinal principle that must guide our policies.’
Mr César Saldaña, President of the Conferencia Andaluza de Denominaciones de Origen (CADO, Andalucía), presented his candidacy to the Vice-Presidency of the Association, stressing that the experience of CADO’s members in the representation of producers’ interests at EU level will be an asset for AREPO’s mission.
Ms Temanuata Girard, Vice-president for Agriculture and Food of Centre-Val de Loire, presented the candidacy of her region to the Treasurery of the Association, committing to responsible financial management to empower AREPO to fulfil its mission and serve the interests of all its member regions.
AREPO General Assembly voted unanimously in favour of electing the three candidates.
The GI SMART Project
The Thematic part of the Assembly provided an update on EU policies of interest for the GI sector and spotlighted AREPO’s key initiatives and policy achievements over the last year.
A key session of the Assembly was dedicated to discussing the Horizon Europe project “GI SMART”, to help AREPO members understand the aim of the project and how to get involved.
GI SMART is a 4-year research project that will provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the contribution of geographical indications (GIs) to sustainable territorial development and the objectives of the EU Farm to Fork strategy. To achieve this, GI SMART will develop tools and methodologies to foster the implementation of sustainability strategies by GIs producers, ensure their recognition by consumers, and formulate policy recommendations for a better design of GI policies.
The presentation sparked considerable interest among participants, especially concerning their participation into the Multi-actor Community Platform.
The Assembly concluded with a visit to the Diachronic Museum of Larissa and the Ancient Theatre and the formal dinner with local products offered by the Region of Thessaly.
Technical Visits in Tirnavos
On October 24, the Region of Thessaly organised two technical visits, allowing participants to experience first-hand the region’s agri-food expertise. Attendees visited the Hotos cheese factory, renowned for its traditional production methods that highlight the unique flavors of Greek cheese, particularly PDO cheeses Feta and Manouri. They also explored the Domaine D. Migas winery, where innovative vinification techniques meet long-standing regional wine traditions.
These visits offered insights into how GIs contribute to the local economy while preserving cultural heritage and promoting sustainable agriculture practices. Participants gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of GIs in protecting and promoting regional products, witnessing how local producers integrate traditional knowledge with modern techniques to create high-quality products that reflect their geographic origins.
