Cheese 2003 – The Official Inauguration

Cheese 2003 was officially inaugurated this afternoon by the organizers, Carlo Petrini, President of Slow Food, and Francesco Guida, Mayor of Bra and President of the Alba Bra Langhe Roero Tourist Board. Also in attendance were the Italian Minister of Agriculture Giovanni Alemanno and Enzo Ghigo, the President of the Piedmont Regional Authority .

In his speech, Minister Alemanno said that, to restore meaning to the words ‘quality’ and ‘typical’, it is necessary to increase consumer awareness. To do this, he added, product labeling has to clearly reveal traceability. The Ministry, he promised, will allocate resources for the purpose and will also promote the regulation of GMOs in Europe. He also took the chance to ask President Ghigo to help support this position, especially in view of the coming Council of European Agriculture ministers. Ghigo readily agreed.

In his speech, Carlo Petrini expressed satisfaction at the way in which food products at risk of extinction have been safeguarded in recent years. “Initiatives like the Salone del Gusto and Cheese, combined with the Slow Food Presidia, have done their bit in this sense. Cheese is a showcase for quality. Eco-sustainable farming and artisan food have enormous potential but they have to be allowed freedom of expression, even in developing countries. Which is why, this year, we’ve decided to put shepherds at center-stage. They produce cheese of superior quality, and also play an important role in controlling and protecting the environment.”

Francesco Guida, finally, said that Cheese 2003 is of decisive importance for the growth of the city of Bra, which will culminate next year with the opening of the University of Gastronomic Sciences in nearby Pollenzo.

Slow Food Press Office
Valter Musso, Alessandra Abbona, Paola Nano tel. 0172 419615 /666 /645, fax 0172 421293
e-mail [email protected] – [email protected] – [email protected]
Segreteria: Denise Pecchenino tel. 0172419645 fax 0172413640 e-mail: [email protected]

City of Bra Press Office
Raffaele Grillo tel. 0172 438278 fax 0172 438280
email [email protected]