GIRO – Development of Geographical Indication in Romania

Activities:

1.1. Study trip in Switzerland for a core GI group in order to observe the practice in monitoring the Swiss GI system (Agridea)

1.2. Financing 3 grants for the participation in international training in France or Switzerland on GI (Agridea)

2.1. Organisation of a two-day capacity building workshop on GIs in Romania for administration and extension services as well as producers associations when relevant to present the major features of the GI syste (Agridea and ADEPT)

3.1. Workshop to strengthen the registration procedure (Agridea and MADR)

3.2. Exchange with Swiss experts on the geographical indications registration process (Agridea and MADR).

4.1. Training existing certification bodies on the certification of PDOs and PGIs (Agridea, MADR and ADEPT)

4.2. Test accreditation audit (Agridea, MADF and ADEPT)

5.1. Inventory of potential GI products and selection of eligible products (ADEPT and Agridea)

5.2. Chain analysis of 3 pilot GI products supply chains and identification of strategic groups (ADEPT and Agridea)

5.3. Workshop for each selected product in order to identify together with the producers the typicality and quality characteristics of the product and precise the geographical limits of the area of production (ADEPT, Agridea, MADR)

6.1. Study trip in Switzerland for facilitators who will assist producers’ group during the registration phase and who will run the producers’ groups (Agridea)

6.2. Workshop per product to write a draft code of practices and identify acceptable and non acceptable process practices (ADEPT, Agridea, MADR)

6.3. Consumer surveys in relevant consumption areas (local and/or urban) (university sub-contracted)

6.4. Workshop with the producers to build a relevant marketing strategy (ADEPT, Agridea, MADR)

The project has had concrete results, raising the ability of the administration to support producers wishing to use the GI system to protect and add value to their products. The partners of the projects have:

• identified 60 potential GI products,
• helped 10 potential products get started in the GI registration process
• introduced a new measure in the Romanian National Rural Development Programme supporting the registration process and covering part of the cost
• worked with the National Rural Development Network for the promotion of traditional and GI products
• capacity building workshop on GIs in Romania for administration and extension services as well as producers associations when relevant to present the major features of the GI system
• organised training existing certification bodies on the certification of PDOs and PGIs
• given detailed guidance to 4 products:
  • Pecica Bread (Pita de Pecica)
  • Saxon Villages Rhubarb Jam (Gem Săsesc de Rabarbar)
  • Danube Delta Smoked Mackerel (Scrumbie Afumată de Delta Dunării)
  • Sibiu Cheese (Telemea de Mărginimea Sibiului)