Visit to the International Olive Council

KOPERATTIVA PRODUTTURI TAZ-ZEBBUG LIMITED

REPORT ON THE VISIT TO THE INTERNATIONAL OLIVE COUNCIL, MADRID

DATES OF VISIT:  18^TH NOVEMBER TO 22 NOVEMBER 2024

1. The KPZ delegation was composed of President Jimmy Magro and Management Committee member Joyce Muscat.
2. The delegation met various Officials of the IOC as per list hereunder:

2.1.       Mr. Jaime Lillo, Executive Director, IOC:  Discussed the future of cooperation between IOC and KPZ especially in respect of the genetic resources project, training of olive growers and establishing panel tasters for Malta.  KPZ informed the ED that a new Ambassador will be in Madrid in January 2025 and it is anticipated that more contacts will be made with the IOC.  Mr. Lillo expressed his agreement that during 2025 the IOC will be more active with Malta and the KPZ.

2.2.       Mr. Lhassane Sikaoui, Head of the Olive Growing, Olive Oil Technology and Environment Unit.  The KPZ delegation provided the background of the genetic resources project and how the KPZ is working to finalise the characterisation of the Bidni cultivar to be recognized by the IOC and the Plant Protection Unit of Malta as part of their Gene Bank.  The IOC proposed to hold a workshop in Malta to discuss how this cooperation can be further developed together with CREA, an institution which has worked with IOC over the years.

2.3.       Ms. Mercedes Fernandez, Head of the Chemistry and the Standardisation Unit.  The KPZ delegation emphasised the need to enhance the capacity of the olive and olive oil sector in Malta and that the Cooperative requires the support of the IOC in building the laboratory and olive tasting panel capacity.  The IOC explained the measures to be taken and that such work can commence with other countries such as Italy and/or Tunisia.  The IOC expressed their support for these activities and shall continue to provide guidance in the context of IOC resources.

2.4.       Ms. Imene Trablesi, Head of Communications.  The KPZ delegation expressed its keen interest to seek support for the distribution of extra virgin olive oil in schools.  The IOC was supporting such activities and the IOC promised to send more information about the organisations that are working on such projects.  Another topic discussed was the information campaign of the genetic resources project and how this can be boosted on the IOC campaigns materials.

2.5.       Mr. F. Javir Larraona, Head of the Olive Observatory.  The discussion focused on the communications aspects of the olive observatory and how these activities can be used to the benefit of the olive sector in Malta, in particular the promotion of the genetic resources project being undertaken by the KPZ.  The IOC agreed to provide support in the communications of the results obtained by the project, and use their resources to disseminate information about the project.

2.6.       Ms. Maria Juarez, Head of Economic Affairs and Promotion Unit.  The KPZ delegation provided the background of the genetic resources project and explained the support which was being sought from IOC in order to establish direct cooperation on the recognition of the indigenous cultivars from Malta.  The IOC provided details about the work being carried out with the University of Cordoba which has established an international gene bank for olive trees, and how this experience can be used in the case of Malta.

3. The KPZ delegation had the opportunity to meet other members of the IOC Executive Secretariat with whom further cooperation with Malta was discussed.
4. The KPZ delegation was provided with the opportunity to visit olive groves and two olive mills outside Madrid as part of the programme for the delegation. During these visits, the KPZ delegation met the Managements of the olive groves and olive mills and discussed many technical subjects in the cultivation of olives and olive oil production.
5. The KPZ delegation was also invited to attend the event (Conference) to celebrate World Olive Tree Day, that focused on the 30^th Anniversary of the Mediterranean Diet. The Speakers of the conference included highly professional and international experts on the Mediterranean Diet.  Due to the work being carried out in Malta, together with the Health Promotion Unit of the Ministry of Health, the conference was found to be extremely useful and informative for the KPZ Delegation.

Jimmy Magro

President