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A.Marescotti (2003) Typical products and rural development: Who benefits from PDO/PGI recognition?

Paper,
83rd EAAE SEMINAR Food Quality Products in the Advent of the 21st Century: Production, Demand and Public Policy

Document:
Marescotti.pdf

Abstract
The paper is focused on the links between rural development and typical products. After taking in exam the many connections typical products may have with rural development dynamics, the attention is directed on the role of EEC Regulation 2081/92 (PDO and PGI) for rural development. In particular, on the basis of a case-study analysis concerning a typical product of Tuscany (the cherry of Lari), the paper aims at showing how the various actors involved at a local level (agricultural firms, processing firms, local public institutions, producers and consumers associations, etc.) take part in the process that leads to the application for PDO-PGI, which are their exptected benefits, and which are the consequences the PDO-PGI approval may exert on rural development. The conclusions underline the problems that small production systems may face in applying for the PDO/PGI, and propose some research and policy recommendations.
Typical products may be considered in their “collective dimension”, as the result of a social construction made by some actors along time and within a territory on the basis of some local resources; this construction is validated by the outside by other actors (the consumers, the State), sometimes by institutional means (such as the geographical indications). They are linked not only to the skills of a group of firms, but also with locally created public goods and with the history, habits and culture of the local community. That is why the support given to typical products is often considered an useful tool to preserve local culture and traditions, and to foster development dynamics in rural areas, especially in disadvantaged and mountain areas showing lack of viable alternatives. Nevertheless not many attempts have yet been made in organising and highlighting the different issues which concern the relationships between typical products and rural development. How can typical products contribute to foster rural development? How do typical products succeed in raising local resources and conveying the local community (producers, rural citizen, local public institutions) towards a common aim? Which are the premises of success? And more particularly, does the most important legislative tool prepared by the European Union, that is EEC Regulation 2081/92 on PDO and PGI, succeed in supporting rural development dynamics, as stated in the premises of the Regulation itself?

Keywords: Food Quality Products, Typical Products, PDO and PGI, Rural Development

Relevance to our study:
Some interesting statements are present in that study that can be applied to the organic sector too (PDO as a rural development tool, small scale farmers may have difficulties in adopt the EU Reg with all the related certification costs, advantages and disadvantages of being PDO certified).

Relevancy on a scale from 1 to 5 = 3

Review status: Finished
Review started on 2009–01–21
Reviewed by Samanta Rosi Bellière?

Comments: