A recent evaluation study on Geographical Indications (GIs) and Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSGs), published by DG AGRI, overviews the quality policy at the EU level.
The findings show that GIs/TSGs provide several benefits, have a clear added value and they are relevant for private stakeholders and public authorities. However, the considerations of GIs/TSGs for environmental sustainability and animal welfare are growing and these could be further addressed.
Based on the analysis conducted, the existence of GIs is considered a strong asset for rural territories. One of the recommendations is to assess if some TSGs could evolve towards an “optional quality term” (as mountain products) or code of good practices.
The study further highlights the importance of GIs/TSGs schemes for producers located in areas facing natural or other specific constraints (remote, marginalised and mountain areas). In addition, the relevance of GIs/TSGs with respect to mountain areas is confirmed by the recent Horizon2020 project Strength2Food study on the determinants of farmers’ engagement in Food Quality Schemes.
In terms of profitability, comparisons between GIs sectors in France such as milk for cheese and poultry, show that farmers get higher incomes or net margins in the GI schemes compared to non-GI. Furthermore, a study from 2018 revealed that “eastern mountain PDO milk farms” (from the French Alps or French Jura) registered higher economical and financial indicators than “mountain milk farms without PDO”.
Read more about the evaluation study and the recommendations on improving efficiency, effectiveness and relevance of these schemes.