Localised Agro‐Food Systems and Geographical Indications in the Face of Globalisation: The Case of Queso Chontaleño

Abstract

This study analyses a localised agro-food system producing Queso Chontaleño (QC) cheese in the Chontales Department in Nicaragua and the first effects of the Geographical Indication (GI) scheme which alters the power relations between the actors of the cheese-dairy sector within the framework of global dynamics. The first part focuses on systèmes agro-alimentaires localisés (SYAL), or localised agro-food systems, and it provides the theoretical background to the case study. The second part analyses the QC SYAL and its territorial and institutional context. It is found that GI introduces new competitive pressures that reinforce local elites at the expense of traditional QC actors and that the weak involvement of the State may prevent GIs from enhancing the development of territorialised agro-food systems. The conclusion is a recommendation to EU policymakers that promotion of GIs at the level of the WTO be accompanied by measures that can ensure stricter national legislations on GIs to protect local resources.

Social Learning in Food Quality Governance – Evidences from Geographical Indications Amendments

“…To sustainably cope with future challenges and to survive in the globalized food system, producer groups have to adapt their production rules (Baritaux et al 2016;Belletti et al 2015;Bérard et al 2016;Clark and Kerr 2017;Conneely and Mahon 2015;Quiñones-Ruiz et al 2018). Mancini (2013) argued that GIs would vanish without collective innovation. Thus, GI production systems' adaptability is a key element for their sustainability.…”

“…Therefore, producers need to apply for an amendment of the Product Specification (Quiñones-Ruiz et al 2018). Group-internal factors (e.g., involved stakeholders, group heterogeneity, supply chains structures) can also lead to amendments (Belmin et al 2015;Brunori et al 2016;Mancini 2013). The formal amendment procedure is generally similar to the GI registration process depending on the national legislation (European Parliament 2012).…”

Geographical indications and upgrading of small-scale producers in global agro-food chains: A case study of the Makó Onion Protected Designation of Origin

“…the cases of Parmigiano Reggiano or Comteć heeses). In other cases, the collective action inspired by GIs seems to be more characteristic of industrial world conventions, where power imbalances in consortia emerge, and largeparticularly downstream -lead firms dominate decision-making (Bowen, 2010;Mancini, 2013). For example, Bowen (2010) documents how the strategic interests of powerful distilleries and multinational liquor companies dominate the GI system for tequila.…”

A földrajzi árujelzők gazdaságtana – az empirikus bizonyítékok

“…Hasonló eredményeket talált india esetében Jena-Grote [2012], nevezetesen: a basmati rizs elfogadása növelte a háztartások jólétét. a nicaraguai Queso chontaleno sajt esete rávilágít a fejlődő országoknak az eredetvédelem bevezetéséhez kapcsolódó gyakori problémáira (Mancini [2013]). dél-amerikában a földrajzi árujelzők bevezetése gyakran a helyi elit és nem a mezőgazdasági termelők vagy feldolgozók számára előnyös.…”