News
A video recap of the symposium "The INAO: 90 Years Serving French Agriculture"
On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, a symposium was organized at the initiative of Representative Christophe Marion on the theme “The INAO: 90 Years in the Service of French Agriculture.” This event highlighted how labels indicating origin and quality, at every key stage of their history, have—thanks to the National Institute of Origin and Quality—provided solutions to the challenges of the time, in light of a history marked by innovation and adaptation, a dynamic that continues to this day.
A Look Back at 90 Years of Promoting Agricultural and Food Heritage
The symposium provided an opportunity to review the major milestones in the history of Quality and Origin Identification Marks (PDO, PGI, TSG, Label Rouge, Organic Farming) and the Institute, as well as to explore their future prospects. Researchers, legal experts, and professionals exchanged views on the Institute’s unique governance model and highlighted the system’s relevance in today’s context. They also noted that this public policy affects one in three French farms and represents nearly 42 billion euros in annual revenue, or 40% of the revenue from French agricultural production.
During this event, a traveling exhibition focusing on the Institute was unveiled. Tracing the history of the SIQOs and the INAO, as well as their current challenges, the exhibition is set to embark on a tour of France, during which it will make stops at iconic sites representing France’s agricultural and food heritage.
Exploring the Institute’s Future Prospects: Sustainability and Innovation as Guiding Principles
The conference also provided an opportunity for lively discussions about the collective actions needed to address the current challenges affecting SIQOs: increasing market complexity, climate change, and shifting societal expectations—all against a backdrop of competition from private certification schemes (the “jungle of labels”)—while striking the right balance between preserving their identity and making necessary adaptations.
The INAO: A Support System for All SIQO-Certified Sectors
Working closely with researchers and professionals, the INAO’s professional bodies are committed to formulating a clear, coordinated, and relevant response to these expectations. These contemporary challenges require viewing SIQO systems through the lens of sustainability—economic, social, and environmental—while taking into account the constraints faced by management and protection organizations (ODGs).
These professional associations, which stand behind every SIQO-certified product, must develop and implement changes to the rules governing production conditions. To this end, the Institute actively supports the sectors in developing and implementing innovations that ensure the sustainability of SIQO, while taking into account the fundamental principles that led to their recognition. Mechanisms and tools are made available to ODGs to facilitate the adaptation of specifications to strategic innovations.
Reflecting on sustainability is essential to ensuring the longevity and competitiveness of SIQOs, whose strength lies in their ability to meet the challenges of the present.
To view the conference program:
L'INAO, 90 ans au service de l'agriculture française
Programme complet du 8 octobre 2025
To learn more...
- Learn about the history of the INAO and the official marks of quality and origin
- Discover the exhibition "The INAO: 90 Years Serving French Agriculture"
- View materials from the communication campaign "There Are Signs That Can’t Be Mistaken / Signs of Trust"
- View tools and initiatives related to SIQO sustainability