QUALITY AGRO-FOOD PRODUCTION IN SICILY

The driving force behind European food policy as regards quality produce is embodied through the development of human, material and environmental resources and the diversification of economic potential above all in the more disadvantaged rural areas. The evolutionary curve of agricultural policy inherent to quality produce has, over the last 50 years, achieved significant objectives directed at improving agricultural food production. This study aims to verify the basis of the quality food produce on offer per category and geographical area of production, and furthermore to delve more deeply into certain aspects of Sicilian ‘traditional’ foods. This research, carried out on the quality food produce available, will concentrate on agricultural food produce labelled PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed), on wines labelled DOC (Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata), DOCG (Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) ºi IGT (Vino a Indicazione Geografica) and on traditional produce (TP), highlighting the significant potential in multi-functionally activating traditional produce and how this might contribute to the long-term economic development of late-developing areas.