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This paper examines the regional dynamics emerging in Switzerland through Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) devices, in which a large number of typical agricultural products get involved. Extending R. Balme's works on neo‐regionalisms, we approach those dynamics as a new, globalization‐oriented way of regional mobilization. Our empirical research shows how professional bodies together with regional authorities ("cantons"), through a relevant use of the PDO‐PGI device, enact a clear, legitimate presence of rural territories in globalization. The PDO‐PGI device can thus be analyzed as a negotiated way of connecting local and global, especially favored by the successful adaptation of neo‐regionalism to federalism logics in the Swiss context.

Protected designations of origin (PDO) and Protected geographical indications (PGI) in the European Union have been recognized through a sound legal framework for more than three decades. We are recently witnessing an increased number of amendments to the product specifications of registered PDO/PGI. This paper aims to understand how PDO/PGI for the fruit and vegetables product class have evolved. Until December 31, 2018, there were 379 PDO/PGI registered under the fruit and vegetables product class and 81 amendments approved. We designed a coding guideline to: i) analyze all the amendments to the product specifications ; ii) identify the type of rules that were modified ; iii) find out whether the amendments resulted in more flexible or more restrictive rules, and iv) the respective justifications given by producers. We designed a database to manage all the information. Overall, amendments brought more flexible rules (parti­ ; cu­ ; larly in Italy and Spain), while France showed a more diversified situation. Concerning the justifications stated by producers for amending the product specification, market changes, available new technology, and strengthening product quality were the most important, while environmental concerns were less relevant. Then, we in-depth analyzed the amendments that were explicitly justified with environmental reasons. The analysis showed only a light movement towards more environment-friendly rules, although environ­ ; mental justifications were often used &ldquo ; indirectly&rdquo ; as a means to achieve better marketing competi­ ; tive­ ; ness, meeting new market demand and reducing production costs. These results seem consistent with previous studies, which indicated market forces as a primary motivation to amend product specifications.

Intro -- Preface -- References -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- Part I: Assessing the Sustainability Performance of Food Quality Schemes -- Conceptual Framework -- Why a Conceptual Framework to Analyze the Sustainability of Food Quality Schemes? -- The Quality Dimension -- The Characteristic of Value Chain -- The Role of Local Agri-Food Systems -- The Role of Public Goods -- The Governance Model -- The Interaction Between Value Chains and Local Agri-Food Systems -- References -- Common Methods and Sustainability Indicators -- General Points on Indicators and Their Analysis -- Overview of Indicators and Minimal Systematic Comparison -- Analysis of Indicators -- Reference, Data Collection and Metadata Documentation -- Selection of a Reference Product/Case: Elements of Guidance -- Data Collection -- Two Angles of Prioritization -- Relying on Existing Sources of Information -- Default Values -- Quality Checks in Data Collection and Indicator Estimation -- Principles -- Example of Data Collection Agenda -- Tips for Data Collection -- Metadata Documentation -- Summarized Description of Indicators and Their Purpose -- Economic Indicators -- Price -- Profitability and Value Distribution -- International Trade Indicators -- Local Multiplier -- Method to Compute the Indicator -- Definition of the Local Area -- Collection of the Information -- Environmental Indicators -- Carbon Footprint -- Product Carbon Footprint, in tCO2e per kg of Product -- Carbon Footprint of Production Area, in tCO2e per Hectare of Utilized Agricultural Area (UAA) -- Method to Compute the Indicators -- Specific Case of Unfed Seafood and Fish -- Extended Food Miles -- Distance Traveled, in ton.km per Ton of Product -- Carbon Emissions Related to the Transportation Stage, in kgCO2e per Ton of Product -- Water Footprint.

With various producer subsidies and giving more information for the consumers, at least a part of the European rice market can be independent of the Asian market. The consumer encounters more and more information on the packaging of food products, among others, the GI label. Geographical Indications contain information on both the origin of the food and the quality associated with the origin. The Nagykun Rice Consortium in Hungary aimed at the European Union geographical indication to highlight the values of Nagykun rice. There were several reasons for the demand for PGI designation. The 2013 Land Act stipulates that those who are engaged in the production of GI product are entitled to pre-emption, so one of the reasons was to keep the lands what they use already or be the one who can buy a new one first. Another reason was that they had been using organic label for several years, so based on their experience, they were also aware of the marketing opportunities of the new label. Important features of Nagykun rice for consumers are the extremely low level of arsenic and the fact that the product is 100% gluten free. The introduction of the organic label was a good example of increasing the price and, as a result, producers can hope that the PGI label can also increase the price among conscious consumers in long-term. The PGI registration process itself is relatively long, but government bodies have proven to be supportive and helpful. The PGI label can be a long-term profitable investment in the Hungarian rice sector. The case of the Nagykun rice consortium can be a good example not only for other rice producers, but also for producers of other agricultural products.

Our case study of Salers cheese production in south-central France highlights how place-specific knowledge grounds the various networks shaping the rise of geographical indications (GI) in food production. In 1961, Salers cheese producers created a "Protected Designation of Origin" (PDO). To preserve the distinctive character of their product, they opted to require use of the gerle, a traditional wooden vat, and an on-farm cheese making process. The gerle came recently under scrutiny from French governmental hygiene regulation enforcement, and the subsequent public controversy jeopardized the entire supply chain and destabilized Salers cheese-making methods. Prevailing in their efforts to protect Salers, producers established the gerle as mandatory and have since set up a governance board to ensure PDO brand integrity. Our analysis suggests that the diversity of technical choices and associated set of knowledge in Salers cheese production has paradoxically been both its strength and weakness. Local agricultural know-how forges links among participants in Salers networks, connecting cheese producers and consumers, to cattle, microbes, landscapes, wooden tools, and cheeses. Yet, diversity of local expertise creates a tension among producers who must collaborate to achieve unified standards within a PDO while resisting homogeneity. Such results contribute to discussing on PDO governance: an arena to share, compare, and unite local knowledge is critical for GI and thus for sustainable agricultural systems.

The first part of the article sets out from underlining the importance of labeling quality agricultural and food products. After a brief overview of the related EU and Slovenian regulation, it introduces Slovenian trademarks. This is followed by listing those 30 products that have already won the label. The second part of the study deals with the presentation of a definite traditional Slovenian meat-based product: Zgornjesavinjski želodec - having been first to receive PGI denomination. The authors also analyse its demand-supply relations and marketing possibilities, pointing out the dilemma of either satisfying expanding market demand or keeping production to quality.

Globalisation trends and food scandals alienate consumers and increase their desire for more safety, traceability and trustability. EU quality schemescoveringgeographical indications for agricultural products tackle these issues and aim to provide better information for consumers in combination with positive income effects for farmers and producers. The present paper mergesinformation on selected contents of the EU TECH.FOOD project with a literature review and the results of an Austrian case study to provide insight intothe EU's food quality policy and geographical indications, as well as their effects on producers and the demand of consumers for food quality.