Elisabeth Köstinger (PPE). – (DE) Mr President, I am convinced that the future of farming lies in quality. Quality must be worthwhile, however. For this reason, I expressly welcome the fact that the decision on the quality package will create measures that will highlight European quality and further secure protected designations of origin, geographical indications and traditional specialities. It is also very important that these products should be protected beyond Europe’s borders and that processes cannot be cheaply copied. Successful programmes are recognised by consumers.

We have very positive experience with brand registration in Austria. The designated products enjoy a good reputation. However, measures are required on a Europe-wide basis that will promote sales and increase brand recognition. At the same time, we also need measures to enable more of such brands to be registered. Agricultural producers need user-friendly support with registration.

I also expressly welcome the introduction of labelling for products from mountain areas. This is clearly the handiwork of the European Parliament and I would like to thank the negotiators for their dedication in this context. This new, counterfeit-proof label is a milestone for dairy producers. Milk production in mountain areas is hard work and is associated with the highest quality standards. Consumers associate products from mountain regions with an untouched landscape, cows freely grazing the meadows, feeding on hay in the winter, and small farms. It must be possible for the greater effort and higher production costs involved to command a better product price. We need to keep on working on this.