Protocol on mountain agriculture implementing the Alpine Convention of 1991.

This Protocol has been adopted in implementation of the Alpine Convention of 1991 with a view to ensuring a global policy for the protection and sustainable development of the Alpine territory. The Contracting Parties are conscious of the importance of the Alpine territory, of their natural resources, water resources and agricultural potential. The Protocol consists of five Chapters and one Annex. Chapter I contains general provisions. According to it, this agreement sets forth measures at the international level intended for the conservation and encouragement of mountain agriculture so as to prevent the abandonment of mountain areas. To these ends, article 6 boosts cooperation amongst Parties for the following purposes: (a) assessment of agricultural policies development; (b) transboundary cooperation among the competent authorities, particularly regional administrations and local entities; (c) exchange of information and development of initiatives by research institutes, agricultural and environmental organizations. Chapter II regards specific measures to be implemented: the Parties undertake to consider particular conditions of mountain areas for the purpose of territorial planning, destination of areas and land rearrangement. Moreover, the Parties promote the marketing of mountain agricultural commodities, also by adopting marks of controlled origin and quality guarantee. Chapter III concerns research, training and information. Chapter IV deals with the implementation of these provisions and related controls. In particular, the Parties shall transmit regularly to the Permanent Committee a report relating to the measures that have been adopted on the basis of this Protocol. Thereafter, the Permanent Committee shall elaborate a report to be submitted to the Alpine Conference concerning the compliance with these provisions. The Conference shall, in case of breach of the obligations hereby established, adopt recommendations as appropriate.