Press release
INAO Permanent Council approves major efficiency plan for the Institute
Meeting on March 19, 2026, the INAO Permanent Council took several important decisions for the future of the establishment. In particular, it validated the "INAO 2028" roadmap, an action plan complementary to the COP, the aim of which is to boost the Institute's efficiency.
INAO 2028: a roadmap to strengthen the Institute's efficiency
In a difficult economic and budgetary context, also marked by a demand for changes in working methods by professionals, the INAO Permanent Council has defined and adopted an action plan entitled "INAO 2028". Its aim is to consolidate the Institute, improving its efficiency without weakening its fundamentals. Drawn up in close collaboration with professional bodies and INAO staff, the plan includes prioritizing missions around our core business, reviewing procedures and optimizing the operation of bodies, in order to better respond to the adaptation needs of operators, while taking into account the operational constraints of INAO staff. This ambitious roadmap is based on a triptych of efforts shared between INAO, professionals and the French government. It will be implemented until 2028.
Discussions on the budget and operations of the Institute and its bodies
Financial account and results of the 2025 accounts
The use of INAO credits in 2025 reflects both the implementation of the objective and performance contract for the 2024-2028 period, marked by support for operators in the face of contemporary challenges and the SIQO promotion campaign, but also the impact of government decisions in terms of lowering the subsidy for public service charges, the introduction of supplementary social protection, the increased employer contribution due to the "pensions" special appropriation account, as well as continued efforts in terms of digital transformation and securing information systems. With €27m of expenditure and €23.5m of revenue, the financial account shows a budget deficit of €3.5m, in line with the forecast budget and reducing the establishment's cash position to 1.7 months of operations. It was adopted by the Permanent Council.
An amending budget for 2026 incorporating significant expenditure reductions
The amending budget voted by the Permanent Council enables several management adjustments to be made. The adoption of the 2026 Finance Act has in fact added €951,000 to the provisions initially set out by the Government in the Finance Bill in terms of subsidies for public service charges (SCSP), compared with the initial Finance Bill. Thus, in line with government guidelines, the amended budget for 2026 presents an expenditure reduction of €330.1k and a deficit reduced to €1.7m, which should result in one month of operation by the end of 2026.
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Adaptations to the internal regulations adopted by the Permanent Council
The Permanent Council has validated modifications to the INAO's internal regulations, which notably concern voting rules and the consideration of abstentions, the modalities of differentiated votes in bodies in hybrid format, the prevention of situations of conflict of interest with regard to transversal dossiers, modifications to the modalities for handling modifications to yields and other subjects arising from the reflections of the working group.
2025 communication campaign: convincing results and a participative dynamic to be sustained
Following on from the campaign carried out in 2024, in 2025 INAO carried out various participative communication actions aimed at the general public to promote and explain the 5 SIQO. Priority was given to targeting the 18-35 age group. The campaign was evaluated at the end of last year by the CSA institute. Despite a smaller budget, audiences exceeded forecasts.
As a result, all the actions generated 41 million contacts, or 30% more than the projection envisaged for the level of investment (€500,000). The study shows strong public support for the actions, and a significant impact on the identification and understanding of SIQO. The campaign delivers significant gains in SIQO awareness among 18-35 year olds (+10 points for Label Rouge, +4 points for PDO, +5 points for PGI). The responses also show greater confidence in SIQO (+9 points for PDO, PGI and TSG).More than 8 out of 10 French people questioned are thus encouraged to be more attentive to SIQO when making their purchases, in the products consumed but also in their recommendations to third parties. The study also showed a real commitment on the part of stakeholders to promote SIQO, notably through the proposed communication kit.
Given the decline in the establishment's resources, INAO will no longer be in a position in 2026 to call on an external communications agency. A more limited campaign will nevertheless be carried out in-house directly by INAO on the occasion of the Quinzaine de la qualité et de l'origine, scheduled from November 14 to 29, 2026. The tools developed over the past two years remain accessible and usable by ODGs, whenever they wish.
Broader access to SIQO economic data
The Permanent Council's economics commission presented its new tools: intermediate key figures and consumption notes. A discussion also took place on the need to better mobilize ODGs to complete the annual statistical survey and improve the response rate, with the aim of consolidating SIQO economic monitoring. Finally, discussions focused on the SIQO territorial observatory (OT-SIQO). Led by INAO and INRAE, this tool brings together data and studies on SIQO agricultural and agri-food products. It provides a wealth of information on the economic, social and environmental impact of SIQO products on the region. The Permanent Council voted in favor of extending access to non-confidential data to GDOs. To promote this tool, a presentation of the OT-SIQO will be offered to GDOs in the spring.
Index professional equality 2024
In accordance with regulations, an indicator relating to pay gaps between women and men has been set up. INAO obtained a result of 96 out of 100, which does not require the implementation of corrective measures.