Alentejo Arbutus: Mayors of Beja, Almodovar and Ourique contest Algarve producers
Mayors, José Carlos Guerreiro (Odemira), Antonio Boot (Almodovar) and Pedro do Carmo (Ourique), became public challenge the inclusion of eight parishes in those municipalities IPG Algarve registration.
In a four-page document, the presidents of the Chamber of Beja, Ourique and AlmodĂ´var publicly challenge the Protected Geographical Indication registration claim (IGP) of "Algarve", by the Association of Spirits Producers Arbutus in the Algarve (APAGARBE), based in Monchique.
At issue is the fact that APAGARBE have included the entire area of ​​eight parishes those municipalities, where there are hundreds of producers of arbutus.
No document, José Carlos Guerreiro (Odemira), Antonio Boot (Almodovar) and Pedro do Carmo (Ourique), explain the reasons for its defense, appealing to the leaders of the association to "recede in their intentions", making it clear that if this happens will not advance to the "judicial review of the record".
The mayors deny that if you want the arbutus "born and bred" in Alentejo is Algarve, maintaining that are in all different. "The fruit set in Alentejo has different characteristics (the Algarve is warmer and drier), Brandy is produced in another way and the final product has another flavor and alcohol content ", justifying the mayors Alentejo.
Also the General Directorate of Agriculture and Regional Development (DGADR) can not escape the criticism of local elected, accused "arrogance" and "impose" the increase in the number of parishes in the Algarve and Alentejo "not accept" any claim of proposal APAGARBE.
Mayors still justify that "are not against" the IPG Algarve, since this includes only territory Algarve.
Almodovar promotes November the Fair Arbutus and Beja performs during FACECO July conferences, debates and demonstrations on the cultivation of that fruit, has even built a rustic mountain where there is a still (na photos) and produces live fro.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
