Autumn was rich in events and projects for the Italian Food & Beverage team.
In September, our Italian IP team was asked by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development to provide a Study on the protection of Geographical Indications (GIs) and propose possible solutions for a way forward in the upcoming negotiations.
The Study, whose comparative nature has required contributions from our Australia and China offices, was presented during the World General Assembly on Geographical Indications held on 12 October 2015 at EXPO Milan.
At the end of October, during the last week of EXPO, whose theme was "Feeding the Planet: Energy for Life", the Italian Food & Beverage team had the pleasure of being invited to EXPO to discuss the cumulative effects of pesticides on agricultural products, and consequently on human beings. The discussion took place in light of a new methodology for the evaluation of these risks recently introduced by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) to optimise consumers' safety.
Finally, in November the Italian IP team sponsored the "Start-up Weekend Food Edition", which took place in Rome. The event, aimed at developing and spreading the ideas of young entrepreneurs, was focused on food chain sustainability and food direct marketing. Winning teams have had the opportunity to discuss their ideas and be supported in building up the project by AIDEPI (the Italian association of confectionery and pasta industry) as well as other companies/start-ups that took part in the event.
