REGGIO EMILIA (ITALPRESS) – Presented the results of the Strenght2Food project, the five-year course funded by the European Union – within the Horizon 2020 program – which saw the involvement of thirteen European academic partners, including the University of Parma, the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, Barilla, the Provincial Coldiretti Federation and two non-European academic partners. The three key themes of the research project concerned the deepening of the sustainability of the supply chains framed in the Food Quality Schemes (EQS), such as products with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and organic productions. , the assessment of the impacts of food supply systems in the public sector and the effectiveness of short supply chains. The concluding conference provided Member States with recommendations for improving sustainability policies, examples of good practices to promote healthy diets, but also the opportunity to deepen the methodological tools applied in the various research projects and to network among all the participating subjects. As part of the study of the Food Quality Schemes, which saw the involvement of Parmigiano Reggiano as a case study together with 25 other products, the possibility of these supply chains to generate public goods in three areas was particularly highlighted: cultural heritage; socio-economic development; protection of natural resources. “It was a pleasure to work with the Parmigiano Reggiano consortium as part of the Strength2Food project – says Matthew Gorton of the University of Newcastle, coordinator of the project – We have selected Parmigiano Reggiano as an example of a consolidated Geographical Indication, with substantial exports that bring important socio-economic benefits to the region. Through our exchange of knowledge and pilot actions, other Consortia of Geographical Indications in Europe and beyond have learned from the case of Parmigiano Reggiano “The Parmigiano Reggiano supply chain is made up of over 300 producer dairies and over 2,600 companies agricultural for a total of 50 thousand people involved. Production reached 3.94 million wheels, equal to approximately 160 thousand tons. Of these, 44% was destined for export. The turnover for the production of Parmigiano Reggiano is 1.35 billion euros, while consumption reaches 2.35 billion euros. From a social point of view, the Parmigiano Reggiano supply chain locally generates an induced activity which, particularly in disadvantaged rural areas at risk of depopulation, helps to keep the population in the area. Furthermore, from the point of view of the local economy, jobs are directly generated and opportunities linked to tourism and the promotion of local products can also be opened. “Our resources are not infinite and must be preserved to meet current and future needs – emphasizes Nicola Bertinelli, president of the Consortium – Attention is also paid to maintaining the peculiar biodiversity, thus preserving native plant species and races. We are convinced that protecting the DOP means first of all preserving the territory on which it is produced, the stable meadows, the good bacteria of Parmigiano Reggiano and everything that nature has made available to us to make this extraordinary cheese “. (ITALPRESS). abr / com 28-May-21 18:04
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