How to increase sustainability in Geographical Indication systems: a new practical guide published by the FAO and OriGIn offers GI producer associations a roadmap to help them meet the sustainability challenge. 

For quality agri-food products, sustainability is increasingly required by markets and consumers – as well as being an essential element for addressing global challenges on which the future of the planet depends.

For associations of producers of products protected by geographical indications (GIs), adopting a sustainability strategy is therefore an opportunity, and obviously a challenge, of growing importance.

Developing a roadmap towards increased sustainability in geographical indication systems is a new practical guide that helps GI producer associations to develop and implement a sustainability strategy by offering tools and practical advice towards developing a tailored path towards sustainability of their GIs based on the direct involvement of producers.

It was published on 18 March 2024 by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) in collaboration with OriGIn (Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network), of which SIB is a member.

The guide is designed to develop a tailor-made roadmap, starting from the different contexts of each GI system. The first step is the definition of common sustainability priorities, followed by assessment of performance, leading to the drafting of an improvement plan shared with all stakeholders in the GI.

As an added note, the new “single text” European Union regulation on GI protection that is to enter into force in 2025 (read more here) provides, inter alia, for enhanced visibility of sustainable practices concerning GI agrifood and wine production.

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