Fact sheets on the sustainability of PDOs and societal expectations
The comité national des appellations d'origine laitières, agroalimentaires et forestières (CNAOP) of the INAO has produced methodological sheets summarizing its guidelines on the essential changes in PDO practices to meet sustainability imperatives and societal expectations. These operational tools will contribute to the reflections carried out by professionals on their practices: breed/variety, animal feed, inputs, animal welfare, etc.
Climate change, market developments and societal expectations are pushing official signs of identification of quality and origin (SIQO) to evolve and innovate. Professional practices and specifications must adapt, while preserving the authenticity and strong identity characteristics of products. Within the defense and management organizations (ODG) behind each product with an official quality and origin label (SIQO), more and more thought is being given to how to address sustainability issues and societal expectations. Changing regulations are also prompting SIQOs to respond to these contemporary issues. These cross-cutting topics were at the heart of the regional meetings organized by INAO in 2023, and are fuelling discussions around the new European regulation on geographical indications (REFIT). To support professionals in their efforts, the CNAOP has created practice sheets for professionals and commissions of inquiry. They also incorporate the thinking of the Conseil national des appellations d'origine laitières (CNAOL) and the Fédération des viandes AOP de France (FEVAO).
Accompanying change
Thus, the CNAOP has drawn up a practical document comprising 13 sheets on animal production(breeds, housing and animal welfare, veterinary treatments, animal feed, microbiodiversity, transport/slaughtering), plant production(density/management method, plot maintenance and grassing, phytosanitary treatments, water management, state of ripeness, harvesting and picking)and a common sheet on fertilization. Each sheet presents the main principles and associated indicators, elements for further reflection, possible links with other approaches and references, notably regulatory. In this way, they enable PDO chains to take a systemic approach to sustainability issues, and to find appropriate solutions within or outside their specifications.