On the afternoon of Wednesday, August 4, 2021, an online open information event was held with absolute success by the Chamber of Preveza, in the framework of the cross-border project: “AUTHENTIC-OLIVE-NET -” Certification of Authenticity and Development of a Promotion Network olive products in the across border GREECE – ITALY area ”, which is funded by the Territorial Cooperation Operational Program «Interreg V/A Greece-Italy 2014-20», and in which the Chamber participates as a lead partner.
The main purpose of the AUTHENTIC-OLIVE-NET project is the development and supply to the producers / standardizers / distributors of olive oil of the joint cross-border area of GREECE-ITALY of innovative and integrated methods, tools, and services for the certification of the authenticity of olive oil.
The informative event began with the introductory speech of the President of the Chamber of Preveza Mr. Ioannis Bouris, who stressed the huge interest of the Chamber in highlighting and promoting the authenticity of extra virgin olive oils, as Preveza is one of the most important olive groves in Greece. And for this reason, as he mentioned, the Chamber proceeded to the submission for funding and then to the implementation of the project AUTHENTIC-OLIVE-NET, which is completed with absolute success.
This was followed by the presentation of the main actions and results of the project by Ms. Irini Syllleli, Scientific Executive of EURICON Ltd. – CONSULTANTS TO COMPANIES.
The floor was then given by Dr. Ioannis Manousopoulos, Head of the Plant Protection Department of ELGO-DIMITRA in Patras, who presented the results of an innovative method of identifying the origin of olive oils using artificial intelligence models that was piloted during the project.
Then, Mr. Panagiotis Katsaris, Head of the Olive Oil Laboratory of ELGO-DIMITRA in Kalamata, presented all the physicochemical and organoleptic tests, as well as the common values / criteria / methods of quality assurance and authenticity project implementation AUTHENTIC-OLIVE-NET.
Then the floor was given by Mr. Haris Panou, scientific executive of the company Test, who presented the main results of the pilot application for certification of the authenticity of olive oils that took place within the project.
The event ended with a cycle of positions and discussions between the representatives of Chambers, Regional Authorities, Research Bodies and Olive Growers, who participated in the event.
In conclusion, the event fully achieved its purpose as it highlighted the multiple benefits that can arise for the national and local economy from the future utilization of quality assurance and authenticity methods of local extra virgin olive oils, developed as part of the project. AUTHENTIC-OLIVE-NET.
