Santa Maria melons with more vitamin C than the rest<\/p>\n
Yesterday, the European Commission attributed to Melon from Santa Maria, the classification of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), the fruit becoming part of a list that already has almost 1,200 regional products.<\/p>\n
The melon in question, grown on the Azorean island of Santa Maria, was classified due to its sweet and juicy taste when ripe and the high content of vitamin C, much higher than the average for common melons. The PGI is the official classification or certification regulated by the European Union attributed to gastronomic or agricultural products traditionally produced in a region. For a product to obtain PGI classification, it must be demonstrated that at least part of its production cycle originates in the place that gives it its name and that it has a \u201creputation\u201d associated with that same region, in such a way that it is possible link some of the product’s characteristics to the soil, climate, animal breeds, plant varieties or the know-how of the people in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdditional value to the island’s economy\u201d<\/p>\n
The deputy of the Socialist Party, B\u00e1rbara Chaves, welcomed the classification of Melon from Santa Maria as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), which \u201cconstitutes an achievement of melon producers on the island of<\/p>\n
Santa Maria, from Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Agr\u00edcola e Agro-MarienseCoop\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cSanta Maria cantaloupe is a unique product, distinguished by the specific characteristics that the soil gives it. From now on, only Mariense producers will be able to produce and sell Meloa de Santa Maria, with clear benefits for the local economy\u201d, highlighted the Mariense deputy. B\u00e1rbara Chaves considered that this classification \u201cwill allow<\/p>\n
that Santa Maria is known throughout the world for producing a PGI fruit, and this classification can be enhanced, not only in terms of increased production but also exploited for tourism purposes\u201d. \u201cThe Regional Government from the outset provided the necessary technical and financial support for this process to have a positive result that we know today\u201d, said the socialist deputy. \u201cIt is now up to producers and producer associations to unite more and more, to become more cohesive, so that Santa Maria and Melon, now internationally recognized as a PGI, constitute a product with increasing value\u201d, highlighted B\u00e1rbara Keys.<\/p>\n
Lu\u00eds Neto Viveiros satisfied<\/p>\n
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment welcomed the award by the European Commission of the classification of Protected Geographical Indication to Melon from Santa Maria, which he considered to be \u201ca commercial asset,\u201d and whose ‘seal’ can be used in the next production this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe classification of Melon from Santa Maria as a Protected Geographical Identification (PGI) product, which had already been published in the Official Journal on September 3, 2013, and now recognized by Brussels, is the seventh certification of this nature to be obtained for agri-food products from the Azores\u201d, recalled Lu\u00eds Neto Viveiros. In addition to the PGI certification for MeMelonloa de Santa Maria and Meat from the Azores, S\u00e3o Jorge Cheese, Pineapple from the Azores\/S\u00e3o Miguel, Passion Fruit from S\u00e3o Miguel\/Azores, Honey from the Azores and the Pico Cheese, as products with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The Government of the Azores provides technical support so that recognized organizations or associations can apply for their products for certification, which it considers to represent commercial and even cultural added value.<\/p>\n
Santa Maria cantaloupe producers \u201cvery happy\u201d<\/p>\n
The president of the cooperative of agricultural producers in Santa Maria, in the Azores, also told Lusa that the European certification of the melon produced on the island makes him \u201cvery happy\u201d, expressing hope that there will be a \u201cpositive impact\u201d on the income of producers. Annually, around 150 tons of melons are produced, which are sold in the regional and mainland markets at more than one euro per kilo. With an average weight of eight kilos, Santa Maria cantaloupe is produced outdoors and\u00a0is usually on the market between July and September.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Santa Maria melons with more vitamin C than the rest Yesterday, the European Commission attributed to Melon from Santa Maria, the classification of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), the fruit becoming part of a list that already has almost 1,200 regional products. The melon in question, grown on the Azorean island of Santa Maria, was classified […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[62],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n