Olives in Italy: signs of global warming

Is global warming a reality, or an unsubstantiated myth? The IPKat notes that, whatever the scientists may say, the global warming is starting to be felt in that iciest and most remote area of the world, the European Commission. An application has been made to the Commission for amendment of the Protected Designation of Origin specification of LA BELLA DELLA DAUNIA olives, from Italy. Among the amendments sought is this:

"‘Description’ in the summary sheet published in 1999 envisaged an indicative harvest date of 1 October, while the specification published in 2000 distinguished between two harvest dates, setting the starting date for green olives as 1 October and for black olives as 25 October.

With regard to the 2000 specification, it has become necessary to bring forward the harvesting of the black olives to 1 October too, since, as a result of changes in climatic conditions, the olives can already be turning colour or have matured as at that date, with wine-red colouration".

Says the IPKat, it's probably not a bad idea for all holders of PGIs and PDOs to check out whether their specifications are time-sensitive. Merpel says, this might create a little useful work for IP advisers at a time when clients may not be thinking too closely of paying them a visit.

Global warming here
Why cats like olives here
Warming for cats here