As
chairman of the D.O. Guijuelo, I am proud to remember the day when the
members of the III World Congress of Ham Organising and Scientific
Committees, in Teruel, announced that we would have the honour of
organising the following edition.
An entity which is a reference
in this sector could not let the opportunity to be involved in such a
project escape, an opportunity to build the pillars that hold the 21st
century meat industry.
We take on this challenge with enormous
responsibility, knowing what such an event implies, but we also hope
that we will be able to share all our knowledge and experience.
Since
the announcement, Guijuelo has begun to work so that the IV Congress
would shed light on all matters surrounding the art of ham-matters,
from the people responsible for the raw material to the consumers.
That
is why the members of the Scientific Committee came up with the
innovating idea of celebrating three conferences simultaneously to
develop various symposiums on topics which are of vital importance in
the sector: Animal production, technology and ham elaboration, and
finally commercialisation and nutritional aspects. The main objective
behind this proposal is that each participant can decide what speeches
adjust to his/her priorities and interests.
We cannot forget
that on this occasion we celebrate this congress in the Castilla Leon
regional community for the first time, a region which is basically
based on cattle-raising, where the D.O. Guijuelo plays a leading role
in the economic, social and rural development. Furthermore, we have an
incomparable historic environment, the city of Salamanca, which was
declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here we can also find the
Salamanca University which has been the cradle of knowledge and source
of inspiration for many scientific and artistic figures throughout the
centuries.
Because of the celebration of this IV World Congress,
Salamanca will become the place where a great number of associations,
companies, investigation centres and professionals related with the
valuable ham product, will have the opportunity to come together. From
here I would like to thank all the Institutions, Associations, Sponsors
and Professionals who are taking part so that this congress becomes a
reality and, of course, the industrialists working at the Denominación
de Origen (Guarantee of origin and quality distinction).
I invite
you all to participate actively in the IV Ham World Congress so that
Salamanca can become the “Ham Capital” during these days.
Daniel Rubio García.
Presidente C.R.D.O.Guijuelo