Giovanni Belletti

Factors Constraining Building Effective and Fair Geographical Indications for Coffee: Insights from a Dominican Case Study

The commodity nature of green coffee is the main cause of the ‘coffee paradox’ (falling producer prices and rising consumer prices). Geographical Indications (GIs) may be an effective ‘decommodifier’ of the coffee market, but many constraints have to be overcome. Based on an analysis of how the characteristics of the coffee production system shape the positions of local stakeholders and, thus, the GI building process, this article identifies some constraining factors that can seriously undermine the capacity the GI has to decommodify the market and attain a fairer distribution of the benefits for local producers.

Why early collective action pays off: evidence from setting Protected Geographical Indications

The registration of Geographical Indications (GIs) under the European Union (EU) legislation requires collective action and considerable efforts borne by multiple actors such as producers, processors, public authorities and research centers. We analyze their efforts, risks and benefits by comparing two EU GI registration processes in Italy and Austria, namely the Sorana bean Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and the Perry from Mostviertel PGI. Results from the institutional and transaction costs analysis suggest that intensive interaction for solving conflicting interests, negotiating quality standards and defining common rules might pay off in indirect benefits and reduced risks. In particular, an inclusion of diverse and heterogeneous interest groups and a high degree of direct enterprise participation along the GI application process (as observed in the Italian case) generate benefits such as trust and social cohesion, which then support the actual use of the GI label and a better implementation of associated quality standards. A supportive legal framework with assistance from public authorities can back up the community of producers not only in technical aspects, but also as mediators when conflicts seem to be difficult to solve. As there seems to be a positive relationship between the intensity and effectiveness of collective action and the likelihood of achieving broadly accepted standards and social cohesion needed for successful GI implementation, the question for future research would not be how to avoid collective efforts but how to effectively organize the interaction among heterogeneous producer groups.

Why early collective action pays off: evidence from setting Protected Geographical Indications – CORRIGENDUM

The registration of Geographical Indications (GIs) under the European Union (EU) legislation requires collective action and considerable efforts borne by multiple actors such as producers, processors, public authorities and research centers. We analyze their efforts, risks and benefits by comparing two EU GI registration processes in Italy and Austria, namely the Sorana bean Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and the Perry from Mostviertel PGI. Results from the institutional and transaction costs analysis suggest that intensive interaction for solving conflicting interests, negotiating quality standards and defining common rules might pay off in indirect benefits and reduced risks. In particular, an inclusion of diverse and heterogeneous interest groups and a high degree of direct enterprise participation along the GI application process (as observed in the Italian case) generate benefits such as trust and social cohesion, which then support the actual use of the GI label and a better implementation of associated quality standards. A supportive legal framework with assistance from public authorities can back up the community of producers not only in technical aspects, but also as mediators when conflicts seem to be difficult to solve. As there seems to be a positive relationship between the intensity and effectiveness of collective action and the likelihood of achieving broadly accepted standards and social cohesion needed for successful GI implementation, the question for future research would not be how to avoid collective efforts but how to effectively organize the interaction among heterogeneous producer groups.

Old World Case Study: The Role of Protected Geographical Indications to Foster Rural Development Dynamics: The Case of Sorana Bean PGI

The protection of Geographical Indications is an issue of growing importance all over the world, as it offers local producers a tool to differentiate their products on the market and escape price competition. In the European Union the legal protection of Geographical Indications dates back to 1992, and aims at both preventing misuses and abuses of brand names on the market fostering fair competition among producers and transparent and complete information to consumers, and supporting rural development dynamics, especially in marginal areas. In this chapter, after describing the many and multifaceted effects the protection of the Geographical Indications may exert on the economic, social, and environmental spheres, the case study of the Sorana Bean PGI in Tuscany (Italy) will be analyzed. The case is related to a very small production system, where a few small farms are using the protected Geographical Indication to market their product. The case shows that the protection granted by the European Union, besides supporting farmers’ income, exerts important economic and social effects on the territory, thus supporting rural development in a marginal area.

The role of traditional products in the valorisation of marginal rural areas: the case of Iris Pallida.

Nowadays the problem of valorisation of marginal rural areas in Europe is significant. In Italy some traditional agricultural crops with high added value may play an important role for the environmental preservation and social and economic development of some marginal rural areas. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the problems and potential of developing traditional crops in marginal rural areas, through their valorisation as typical products. Two main research questions are addressed: Are there specific problems for traditional products in marginal rural areas? In particular, is there a problem of loss of power and appropriation of value upstream the chain? The paper presents a case study analysis on the Iris Pallida supply chain. Iris Pallida is a minor crop, whose rhizome is used by the international fragrance industry. The fieldwork carried out has allowed to point out that the problem of power and appropriation is relevant and should be addressed by strengthening collective action and enhancing horizontal and vertical coordination. Specific problems in the role of traditional products in marginal rural areas also emerge. These are mainly connected to the structure of farms, to the conflicting strategies and to the access to information and technical support. The consequence is a higher need for coordination, for public support and for integrated rural development actions such us structural consolidation, research and development, marketing and tourism promotion.

L’approccio delle funzioni ambientali nello sviluppo di misure agroambientali a livello locale

In the present phase of development of the EU agricultural and rural policy and in the framework of the scientific debate over the application and the results of agro-environmental policy, the elaboration of targeted agro-environmental measures became a priority. Th is is also because many farmers’ practices and behaviours can be shifted from voluntary to compulsory, due also to the observance of cross-compliance. This paper introduces a methodology for the development of local agri-environmental programmes for biodiversity, landscape conservation and soil erosion control, developed and applied in the AEMBAC research project, funded by the EU under the 5th Research framework programme. The methodology requires a strong interdisciplinary and is based on a strong integration of ecological and socio-economic aspects by means of the concept of environmental function and of environmental minimum requirement.

Coordination Mechanisms in the Agro-industrial System. The Case of High-Oleic Sunflower

Empirical evidence shows how, even within the agro-industrial system, the relationship between agriculture and the food-processing industry is regulated to a lesser extent on the basis of pure market forms.