Sustainability and societal expectations

Climate change, sustainability, water, the environment, animal welfare, decarbonization... Both the context of agricultural production and consumer expectations are evolving. Faced with these challenges, official signs of identification of quality and origin(SIQO) are adapting while preserving their principles.

Main portant une grappe de raisins ©Maja Petric sur Unsplash

Various reflections and initiatives have already been undertaken, within the ODGs, sectors and their federations, as well as within INAO bodies (Permanent Council, national committees, etc.). In order to consolidate this momentum and develop synergies between all those involved in bringing SIQO products to life, INAO is compiling a list of the tools, mechanisms and actions undertaken. Don't hesitate to let us know about your initiatives and projects.

Tools, and guides implemented by INAO

SIQOs and societal expectations: retour sur les rencontres régionales de 2023

Initiatives by SIQO players and news on sustainability

SIQO, a living food heritage

A veritable showcase for French agricultural and food know-how, products under SIQO enjoy a strong identity, linked to terroirs and territories, to the taste quality or environmental guarantee they promise. The long-term future of SIQO products also depends on their ability to adapt. Far from being static, SIQO production is evolving to meet today's challenges, while preserving its characteristics, authenticity and values. INAO is both the guarantor of traditions and customs, and the promoter of innovation. In this spirit, the Institute supports the defense and management organizations (ODG) in their reflections and the concrete implementation of changes to specifications.

Tools, dispositifs et guides mis en place par l'INAO

All sectors Winegrowing sector Agri-food sector

All sectors combined

Agri-environmental provisions in specifications

In 2016, INAO invited ODGs to commit to the agro-ecological transition, by integrating environmental provisions into the specifications of their SIQO. Standard measures and adapted control procedures have been validated by national committees to facilitate this approach.

Discover the three options for committing the ODG to an environmental approach

Winegrowing sector

Varieties of interest for adaptation (VIFA)

The VIFA directive allows ODGs who so wish to include in their specifications the possibility of observing for at least 10 years the behavior of grapevine varieties whose characteristics suggest that they will be able to respond to issues identified by the ODG. This may involve, for example, reducing the use of plant protection products, or adapting to climatic changes... This tool is implemented on a limited scale, with precise monitoring by a technical organization. To date, some twenty wine-producing AOP/AOCs have mobilized this option, and all wine-growing basins are concerned.

Discovering the principle and framework of VIFA

The Innovation Evaluation Scheme (IES)

The IES Directive extends the approach to varieties of interest for adaptation to cultivation or oenological practices. Introduced for observation purposes, these innovative production conditions will be evaluated to enable, at the end of the observation period, their integration, support or rejection. This is a participatory science approach mobilizing operators wishing to invest in innovation.

Discover the principle and framework of IED

De-alcoholization (PGI wines)

European regulations have allowed since December 2021 to dealcoholize wines under official signs of quality and origin (SIQO) up to 0,5 degrees. For several months now, INAO's PGI wine committee has been examining the possibility of extending this provision to French PGI wines. Organoleptic, origin-related, technological, regulatory and economic aspects have all been taken into account.

Discover the PGI wine committee's orientation on dealcoholization

Agri-food sector

Educational sheets on PDO sustainability and societal expectations

The INAO's Comité national des appellations d'origine laitières, agroalimentaires et forestières (CNAOP) has produced methodological sheets summarizing its guidelines on the essential changes in PDO practices to meet sustainability imperatives as well as societal expectations. These operational tools will contribute to professionals' reflections on their practices: breed/variety, animal feed, inputs, animal welfare, etc.

Consult the educational sheets (PDF format / 5,9mo) Learn more about these tools

Experimentation procedures and innovation evaluation system (DEI) for agri-food PDOs

To meet contemporary challenges, and in particular to cope with climate change, technical innovation is essential. A directive issued by the Comité national des appellations d'origine laitières, agroalimentaires et forestières defines a framework and sets out the procedures for taking account of innovations and implementing experimental approaches in agri-food PDOs, while respecting their fundamentals.

Discover the principle and framework of these experimental procedures

Organic farming, a sustainable approach compatible with all SIQOs

Organic agriculture (OA) is a production method that combines practices that respect the environment, biodiversity and climate, preserve natural resources and ensure a high level of animal welfare. This mode of production is therefore also one of the paths compatible with the notion of sustainability.

Organic Agriculture production is compatible with all official signs of identification of quality and origin.

Discover organic farming

Les logos de l'Agriculture biologique : à gauche, le logo national "AB", à droite le logo européen "Eurofeuille".

Rencontre régionale des organismes de défense et de gestion sur les SIQO face aux attentes sociétales, le 13 juin 2023 à Bordeaux

The SIQO and societal expectations

In order to develop synergies in the face of contemporary challenges, INAO has organized regional meetings with the defense and management organizations (ODG), on the theme "Les SIQO face aux attentes sociétales". From June 7 to September 14, 2023, 9 meetings were held across France. An opportunity to share local, regional and national practices and initiatives.

Consult information on regional ODG meetings and presentation materials