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France and Italy Are Strengthening Their Cooperation on Geographical Indications

At the Italy-France intergovernmental summit held on June 25, 2026, in Antibes, the two countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to the protection and promotion of geographical indications (GIs). A memorandum of understanding, in which the INAO is a partner, further strengthens this cooperation.

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Strengthened Cooperation on PDOs and PGIs

Meeting in Antibes on the occasion of the Franco-Italian summit between the two heads of state, the French Minister of Agriculture, Agri-Food, and Food Sovereignty, Annie Genevard, and the Italian Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, confirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation between the two countries on agricultural issues.

On this occasion, a memorandum of understanding on geographical indications was signed, with the involvement of the INAO, to consolidate the protection and promotion of products bearing the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

The 2026–2027 Roadmap

The agreement also approved a roadmap for the 2026–2027 period associated with this agreement. In particular, it provides for:

  • Strengthening efforts to combat the misuse and counterfeiting of geographical indications, including in the digital environment; 
  • Better coordination of protection measures in foreign markets; 
  • The development of exchanges between French and Italian stakeholders to promote and defend GIs, particularly with regard to the organizational structures for GIs in both countries and the strengthening of the sustainability of these designations.

This cooperation reflects a shared commitment to preserving products linked to their regions of origin and to strengthening their recognition at the European and international levels.

The Common Agricultural Policy

Beyond GI protections, France and Italy reaffirmed their commitment to a strong Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and to upholding a level playing field. During the summit led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the two agriculture ministers notably reiterated the importance of the principle of reciprocity in international trade, as well as their desire to strengthen consumer information, particularly through regulations on origin labeling at the European level.

The summit was also marked by the signing of a declaration of intent between the research institutes CREA and INRAE, aimed at strengthening scientific cooperation to promote innovation and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

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