Preserving Tradition, Enhancing Sustainability? Exploring Price Premiums, Nutritional Quality and Animal Welfare of EU Geographical Indications

In an era marked by increasing uncertainty due to climate change, economic volatility and geopolitical tensions, the very fabric of current food systems is under scrutiny. The quest is for a profound shift toward food production and consumption that is not only resilient, but also equitable, high in quality, environment- and animal-friendly as well as healthy. Amongst others, the EU proposes to strengthen its geographical indications (GIs), so-called ‘quality labels’. GIs aim to protect names of traditional foods, such as Parma ham, Roquefort cheese, Spreewald gherkins and Sicilian red oranges, by demanding production to take place at least partially in a specific area according to certain production rules. Given that EU GIs are often locally sourced and rely on traditional techniques, they allegedly offer a promising avenue towards more sustainable food systems. However, despite the recognition of GIs in the EU’s planned sustainability initiatives, there remains very limited knowledge about their current performance and how GI products will be affected by these initiatives. Therefore, this dissertation endeavours to provide more evidence-based research, exploring whether GIs have the potential to contribute to sustainability or if their often favourable reputation is merely a façade.

The four chapters chart novel pathways and leverage quantitative and qualitative methods from the broader field of agricultural economics. First, the dissertation aims to provide empirical evidence on whether more regionally limited GIs are associated with lower retail prices. Secondly, it investigates the comparative use of food additives and nutritional quality of current GIs. Thirdly, it explores the effects of new nutrition labels on consumer evaluations of GI products. Lastly, it examines the extent to which GI product specifications consider binding rules on animal welfare. By examining underexplored topics such as terroir size, nutritional quality, food composition, label fatigue and animal welfare, this dissertation seeks to provide insights into the sustainability of foods protected by self-proclaimed ‘quality labels’.

Content

Chapter 1. Does Terroir Size Matter? Protected Geographical Areas and Prices of European Hams

Chapter 2. Healthy Food Traditions? Nutritional Quality and Food Composition of EU Geographical Indications

Chapter 3. Label fatigue? Combining Geographically Protected Ham with Varying Nutri-Scores

Chapter 4. Animal-friendly Traditions? Animal Welfare Considerations in Product Specifications of EU Geographical Indications