Decree Strengthens Protected Designations Consortia in Lombardy

Italy’s Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida has signed a new decree on Geographical Indications (IG), strengthening the role of protection consortia and adding tools to enhance PDO and PGI products. The measure implements EU Regulation 2024/1143 and expands consortia functions to include data collection, supply-chain planning, regulating output, tourism promotion, and tackling counterfeiting—also in digital environments.

In Lombardy, the regional government welcomed the decree through council member and Arepo president Alessandro Beduschi. Arepo’s general assembly will be held in Mantua on 15-16 October. The statistical framework highlights the economic weight of IGs in Italy, with a PDO economy of €20.7 billion at production and certified exports exceeding €12 billion in 2024; Lombardy accounts for €2.9 billion in PDO economy in 2024 (+13% year-on-year), supported by over 8,200 operators and 75 certified products, with the dairy sector alone worth more than €2 billion (about 70% of the regional PDO value). The decree also sets measures aimed at ensuring transparency, representativeness, and stronger governance within consortia.
Italian Version