The Higher School of Olive Oil (ESAO), an entity dedicated to the training, promotion and dissemination of extra virgin olive oil, and the Committee for Ecological Agriculture of the Valencian Community (CAECV), dedicated to the control, certification, representation , defense, research and promotion of organic products, have launched the I Competition of Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) of the Valencian Community.
For both CAECV and ESAO, it is essential that the Ecological EVOOs of the Valencian Community have their recognition through a contest that brings together all the oil mills and cooperatives registered in the CAECV.
In recent years, the increase in the area dedicated to the cultivation of olive groves for certified organic oil has not stopped growing, until it has become one of the productions with the largest certified area in the entire Valencian Community, with more than 5,600 hectares and a production close to 5,000 tons. From 2015 to 2020, the certified area has increased by 47%, while organic production has increased by 20.1%.
The ESAO Awards celebrate their 5th edition this year with the aim of searching for and recognizing the best EVOOs in all of Spain. In 2021, for the first time, a special category has been created for organic oils, which will have three winners and five finalists, in addition to a special category looking for that oil that stands out for its innovative character.
For the president of CAECV, José Antonio Rico, “we consider this to be an excellent initiative that seeks to promote, recognize the quality of organic EVOO of the Valencian Community and disseminate the ecological character of olive growing to society in general”.
For her part, Susana Romera, Executive Director of ESAO, explained that “the autonomous communities have to support the organic olive grove and the Valencian Community has made a great effort by convening the 1st ESAO Awards – CAECV Awards for the best certified organic EVOO. I hope that this community serves as an example to the rest of the Autonomous Communities of Spain since, for the moment, the reception is being extraordinary. “
Bases, technical requirements and deadlines to participate
All those operators certified by the CAECV who comply with the organic production regulations contained in Council Regulation (EC) 834/2007 and have the Certificate of Conformity in force issued by the CAECV may participate in the I Competition of organic EVOO.
In addition, participants in the organic category must include the labeling review report for the presented oils issued by the CAECV and formalize the registration with a deadline of March 1, 2021. Only bulk extra virgin olive oils from the 2020-2021 campaign will be admitted to the competition, as defined by Regulation (EU) No. 1308/2013, of December 17, 2013, and Regulation (EEC) No. 2568/91 of the Commission, of July 11, 1991.
The oils submitted to the competition must come from a homogeneous batch, the size of which will be at least 500 kg in the case of private oil mills, and 1,000 kg in the case of cooperatives.
The CAECV, with the aim of supporting all those who present themselves to this contest, will support, up to a maximum of 50%, the registration of each certified operator.
More information: www.esao.es/premios-escuela-superior-del-aceite-de-oliva/
