More than 70% of the products entered in the Concours général agricole bear one of the official signs of quality and origin (SIQO). It therefore seems only natural that INAO and CGA should combine their skills by signing a new partnership agreement. This partnership is based around two components: the training of Concours jurors (around 400 jurors trained by INAO each year) in sensory analysis, and the articulation of their communication.

"Promoting the gastronomic excellence of French agricultural products involves products under official signs of quality and origin, and as such we are delighted to continue this partnership by combining our skills with the CGA to train future Concours jurors and promote products under signs of quality and origin," says Carole LY, acting director of the INAO.

"Through its selection tests and its ability to inform consumers, the Concours général agricole aims to reflect the excellence and diversity of our French agriculture and gastronomy. This partnership will enable us to continue to better showcase French producers and breeders, driven by a passion for quality and authenticity," adds Olivier ALLEMAN, CGA General Commissioner.

As a reminder, the Institut National de l'origine et de la qualité (INAO), a public administrative establishment under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, is responsible for implementing French policy on official signs identifying the origin and quality of agricultural and agri-food products.

The Concours Général Agricole (CGA), meanwhile, is owned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty and the Centre National des Expositions et Concours Agricoles (CENECA). Each year, it selects and rewards the best products and animals from France's terroir.