Organisations representing three elements of the European supply chain signed a manifesto at the Macfrut exhibition in Italy earlier this month to promote the implementation of a single plant-health and food-safety certification protocol. The signatories were trade association body Freshfel, Copa-Cogeca representing co-operatives and Areflh representing horticultural production regions around Europe.
The manifesto foresees the drawing up of harmonised regulations across the union for integrated production and full product traceability.
Also under discussion were the renegotiation of EU rules for the single market organisation for fresh produce and using excess production for humanitarian and aid purposes.
Fair organisers at Cesena Fiera claimed the show as a great success as more than 150 bi-lateral business meetings were held between Italian operators and overseas parties from Latin America, South Asia, the Mediterranean basin countries, the Middle East and elsewhere in Europe.
Some 25,000 visitors - including 6,500 overseas visitors from 70 countries - attended the three-day fair which hosted over 700 company stands.
Topics at 30 seminars, meetings, presentations and workshops included traceability, surpluses, wood recycling, risk-management solutions for international investments, post-harvest handling, nuts, peaches and broccoli, in addition to logistics and markets in general.
One of the novelties of the 2006 exhibition was Easypunnet launched by Sorma as a versatile packaging solution providing more space for branding and communication, while still allowing the product inside to breathe and be seen.
A new brand Rosaria was unveiled by Salvatore Pannitteri & Co for its Red Tarocco oranges.
And seed producer Esasem of Verona
Attilio to Macfrut, a standard-sized, round salad tomato, with excellent consistency and shelf life, an intense red colour and a taste that is its strong point.
