EU olive farmers’ wishlist for change

Olive oil producers are firming up their positions as negotiations advance on Europe’s future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the action plan for the EU olive oil sector. Juan Corbalán, Brussels delegate of Spanish Agri-food Co-operatives – which holds the presidency of the olive oil section of European farmer federation Copa-Cogeca – spoke to Olive Oil Times about what matters most to farmers. He said priorities include increasing producer organizations’ negotiating clout in the food industry, and an overhaul in the area of quality control. With the latter they seek some contentious measures, including putting the onus on retailers to ensure the oil they stock is of the quality stated on the label.