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The INAO Celebrated Pastoralism at the Livestock Summit
The National Institute for Origin and Quality (INAO) was once again present at the 34th edition of the Sommet de l’élevage, held October 7–10, 2025, in Cournon-d’Auvergne, near Clermont-Ferrand. Together with the defense and management organizations (ODGs) of the livestock sectors covered by official quality and origin identification labels (SIQO), the INAO invited participants to a packed morning session dedicated to promoting products from pastoral farming.
The must-attend annual event for sustainable livestock farming
The world’s leading trade show for sustainable livestock farming and Europe’s largest gathering dedicated to the livestock and agriculture industries, the Livestock Summit brought together this year more than 100,000 trade visitors and 1,770 exhibitors from 34 countries. Pastoralism was given special attention at the event, as part of the preparations for the Year of Pastoralism in 2026 announced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
SIQO-Certified Products from Pastoral Farming Take Center Stage
On Friday, October 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the INAO and the ODGs of the SIQO-certified livestock sectors welcomed visitors as part of the “Rencontres Pasto” event, where dairy, cheese, and meat sectors certified under AOP, IGP, and Label Rouge that practice pastoralism took center stage. Many professionals were present alongside the Institute: the “Agneau de Lozère” PGI, the Label Rouge “Bœuf fermier Aubrac”, the AOP “Cantal”, and " Salers” , the AOP “Fin gras du Mézenc”, theAOP “Bleu d’Auvergne”, theAOP “Fourme d’Ambert”, the AOP “Saint-Nectaire”, theAOP “Bœuf de Charolles”.
This event provided an opportunity to highlight these sectors, discuss research projects—such as the SIQODIV project—and meet with professionals, all while sampling products from this essential and virtuous aspect of French and local livestock farming. This exceptional morning also featured remarks from pastoralism stakeholders and the professionals in attendance, including Carole LY, director of the INAO, who represented the Institute.
Pastoralism: An Ancestral Form of Livestock Farming Adapted to Contemporary Challenges
According to the French Association for Pastoralism, “pastoralism encompasses all livestock-raising activities that utilize the natural forage resources of wild areas through extensive grazing and aim to provide all or part of the animals’ feed. ” In France, pastoral lands support 60,000 farms, representing 18% of livestock operations and 22% of the total number of animals. Pastoralism produces high-quality products with low input levels, while providing numerous benefits to local areas, nature, and biodiversity.
SIQODIV Project: A Study of the Relationship Between Biodiversity and SIQO in the Massif Central
Among the research projects presented at the “Rencontres Pasto” was the SIQODIV project. Led by the Massif Central AOP Cheese Cluster and the Botanical Conservatory, the project aims to better integrate biodiversity into quality-certified farms in the Massif Central, in collaboration with several local agricultural development agencies (ODGs).