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Madrid, 9 November 2022 – On the invitation of the Uruguayan embassy in Spain, the IOC presented the trade standard to the countries of Mercosur.
This year, Mercosur’s Working Subgroup 3 is chaired by Uruguay. Representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay also took part in the meeting. The Executive Director was represented by Deputy Executive Director Jaime Lillo, Head of the Standardisation and Research Unit, Mercedes Fernández Albaladejo, and Head of the Olive Chemistry Department, Yousra Antit.
This year, Mercosur’s Working Subgroup 3 is chaired by Uruguay. Representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay also took part in the meeting. The Executive Director was represented by Deputy Executive Director Jaime Lillo, Head of the Standardisation and Research Unit, Mercedes Fernández Albaladejo, and Head of the Olive Chemistry Department, Yousra Antit.
Mr Lillo gave a presentation on the IOC and its general objectives, before explaining changing trends in olive oil consumption and production from 1990 to 2022. He also outlined the work of the three operational units of the IOC: standardisation and research, olive growing, olive oil technology and environment, economics and promotion. Mr Lillo recalled that Argentina and Uruguay are members of the IOC, and Brazil, Peru and Chile are observers. Mr Lillo ended his presentation by offering to hold virtual meetings on more specific topics, should any of the participants wish to learn more about the Organisation.
The Head of the Standardisation and Research Unit outlined the Unit’s objectives according to article 1.1 of chapter 1 of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives 2015. Dr Fernández Albaladejo then presented the various activities her Unit carries out as well as the IOC standard. She discussed their work to harmonise international and national standards, the IOC recognition of physical-chemical and sensory analysis laboratories, the Mario Solinas Quality Award for the best extra virgin olive oils, the self-inspection programme in import countries and other activities, including videoconference meetings with countries in the Southern Hemisphere such as Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.
At the end of the meeting, the representative of the Embassy of Uruguay, the chair of Working Sub-Group 3 and the members in attendance thanked the IOC for joining the meeting and for providing them with this information, expressing their wish to continue the conversation and look into new projects for the future.
