European Integration Processes in the EU GI System—A Long-Term Review of EU Regulation for GIs

Karola Schober (), Richard Balling, Tobias Chilla and Hannah Lindermayer
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Karola Schober: Institute of Geography, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
Richard Balling: Bavarian State Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Forestry, 80539 Munich, Germany
Tobias Chilla: Institute of Geography, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
Hannah Lindermayer: Bavarian State Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Forestry, 80539 Munich, Germany

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-24

Abstract: Prosciutto di Parma , Bavarian beer and Roquefort —Geographical Indications (GIs) have been systematically protected at the EU level for 30 years and are now an important part of the farm2fork strategy . The article analyses how the integration of the EU GI system can be explained from an institution and discourse theoretical perspective and ties in with the soft spaces debate. In doing so, scalar shifts in competence from a German perspective and the role of discursive spatial relations are examined in more detail. The empirical results are based on a mix of methods that includes the evaluation of secondary statistical data, document analyses, participant observation and expert interviews. The study shows that the European Commission (EC) is increasingly acting as a spokesperson for GIs, but that regional actors are also playing a more important role in implementation and enforcement. This development is fed by the influence of the agricultural policy instrument in terms of competition, but also consumer protection and trade policy. Overall, there are three development layers: protect and systematise, legitimise and expand and open and defend. A more independent development of the EU GI system as an instrument of quality policy and for the development of rural areas could give greater weight to the sustainability-relevant, environmental policy aspects currently demanded by society.

Keywords: Geographical Indications; regional products; regional food; CAP; European integration; institutional spillover; soft spaces (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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