European Integration Processes in the EU GI System—A Long-Term Review of EU Regulation for GIs

Abstract

Prosciutto di Parma, Bavarian beer and Roquefort—Geographical Indications (GIs) have been systematically protected at the EU level for 30 years and are now an important part of the farm2fork strategy. The article analyses how the integration of the EU GI system can be explained from an institution and discourse theoretical perspective and ties in with the soft spaces debate. In doing so, scalar shifts in competence from a German perspective and the role of discursive spatial relations are examined in more detail. The empirical results are based on a mix of methods that includes the evaluation of secondary statistical data, document analyses, participant observation and expert interviews. The study shows that the European Commission (EC) is increasingly acting as a spokesperson for GIs, but that regional actors are also playing a more important role in implementation and enforcement. This development is fed by the influence of the agricultural policy instrument in terms of competition, but also consumer protection and trade policy. Overall, there are three development layers: protect and systematise, legitimise and expand and open and defend. A more independent development of the EU GI system as an instrument of quality policy and for the development of rural areas could give greater weight to the sustainability-relevant, environmental policy aspects currently demanded by society.

Do Geographical Indication Products Promote the Growth of the Agricultural Economy? An Empirical Study Based on Meta-Analysis

“…Similarly, after analyzing the distribution of geographical indication products in rural areas, Joosse, S. found that geographical indication products have no significant effect on the growth of the agricultural economy because there was no difference in the prices of geographical indication products and ordinary products [10]. Some other scholars argue that the relationship between geographical indication products and the agricultural economy is not simple and linear [11]. These scholars believe that there are regional differences among the influences of geographical indication products on the agricultural economy due to factors such as economic development level, government leadership, and regional layout.…”

Geographical Indications and Sustainable Viticulture: Empirical and Theoretical Perspectives

“…22 of the TRIPS Agreement, and various bilateral trade agreements [18]. The GI system originated from "Roman" countries, notably the three largest European wine-producing countries Italy, France, and Spain, where it is especially well-established [19]. Despite the common European framework, significant differences exist regarding the implementation of the system, the internal governance and, of course, the concrete specifications and the economic value of GIs [20].…”

“…Indeed, empirical studies have highlighted the potential of GIs to contribute to different dimensions of sustainability [23][24][25][26]. However, some cases, including some of the most notorious GI "success stories" have shown that introducing GIs can also negatively affect various sustainability dimensions in the respective areas [19,27,28].…”

“…Finally, a specific problem in the German context can be seen with regard to principle 8 ("multiple layers of nested enterprises"). In the "Roman" countries, where the GI system is well-established, higher-level structures have emerged that provide know-how transfers between producer organisations, representation of common interests, and mediation of conflicts [19]. The South Tyrol Agenda can be seen as an example of such coherence, as it is inscribed into the national SQNPI scheme (see Section 3.6).…”

The Concept of Terroir: Why It Matters for Ukrainian Wine Industry?

“…This regulation harmonizes the guidelines for Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indications (PGI), Traditional Specialties Guaranteed (TSG), and optional quality terms within a unified legal framework. This framework extends the opportunity for registration under these diverse schemes to foreign countries and known as the Geographical Indications (GIs) system that includes two categories used in the classification are considered "quality wine" -PDO and PGI schemes of labelling [53].…”