Lack of reliability in olive oil taste classification systems experienced by Spanish producers

Question for written answer E-001575/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Mireia Borrás Pabón (PfE) Subject: Lack of reliability in olive oil taste classification systems experienced by Spanish producers The olive oil sector in Spain and the EU faces legal uncertainty, as it is the only food product for which the quality control and classification system is based on a sensory analysis by tasting panels which can be carried out after the product is put on the market. Although Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2104 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2015 regulate that procedure, results vary significantly between panels and laboratories. This affects how products are categorised as extra virgin and virgin and leads to penalty proceedings with penalties of up to EUR 100 000. This disparity negatively affects producers, complicates exports and harms the competitiveness of the European sector vis-à-vis international markets. In view of the above: 1. Could the Commission assess the feasibility of having approved, comparable tasting panels before products are bottled that are able to provide uniform, legally certain results? 2. What steps is the Commission considering to improve the reliability of classification systems, avoid barriers to trade and lessen the legal uncertainty experienced by Spanish producers as a result of varying results produced by organoleptic analysis panels when classifying olive oil as virgin or extra virgin? Submitted: 17.4.2025 PE773.510v01-00