INITIATIVE TO PROTECT TRNOVO BLUEBERRY’S GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN LAUNCHED

TRNOVO, JUNE 21 /SRNA/ – The Municipality of Trnovo has launched an initiative for the Trnovo blueberry to receive formal recognition and geographical-origin status, along with official protection as a distinctive brand of the region.

“We are trying to protect the blueberry and create our own brand. By protecting geographical origin, we would also promote our local community as well as the blueberry itself,” Trnovo Mayor Miroslav Bjelica told SRNA. He explained that the initiative is aimed at protecting blueberries during harvesting, as many people pick them improperly, raising concerns that its long-term survival in the area could be threatened. “People harvest blueberries in an improper manner, which raises concern that we may lose them. If we establish a brand and secure geographical protection, we hope we will be able to preserve them,” Bjelica said. He recalled that a meeting on the matter was held on June 12 at the Trnovo Municipal Assembly, attended by Dragan Brenja, Head of the Department for Food Certification and Labeling at the Food Safety Agency of BiH. Brenja is providing key support to the local administration through his expertise and experience in the process of branding and protecting the Trnovo blueberry.