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Place-Based Pathways to Sustainability: Exploring Alignment between Geographical Indications and the Concept of Agroecology Territories in Wales

Author

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  • Luke Owen

    (Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK)

  • Donna Udall

    (Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK)

  • Alex Franklin

    (Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK)

  • Moya Kneafsey

    (Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK)

Abstract

Geographical Indications (GIs) are regarded as important endogenous rural development mechanisms by the European Union. GIs have proven successful for some producers in some regions, delivering higher added value and safeguarding a product’s identity and heritage through the notion of terroir. Within the context of a gradual “greening” of GIs, this paper opens up questions about what potential they might have for transitions to agroecology territories, which are spaces engaged in a transition process towards sustainable agri-food systems. Using the Food and Agricultural Organization’s 10 elements of agroecology as a lens, we discuss whether GIs can serve as levers in delivering sustainable agri-food transitions, drawing on the case of the devolved nation of Wales. We base our narrative on a content analysis of GI product specification documents and data from interviews with GI stakeholders. Our case study illustrates that the discourse within the regulatory framework of some Welsh GIs has shifted from one of technicality towards the integration of some agroecology elements in more recent GI product specifications. In this respect, we argue that there is evidence of a “first generation” and “second generation” assortment of GIs in Wales. However, any potential for levering an overall transition within this scheme towards an agroecology territory remains constrained by the piecemeal embedding of agroecology. The incorporation of agroecology is emerging primarily from the ground-up—driven by independent organizational and place-based collective action, but unaccompanied, as yet, by any parallel shift amongst supporting administrative and regulatory authorities. We also discuss the importance of reflexive governance if GIs are to be viable pathways for sustainability transitions. As such, the capacity for GIs to facilitate quality-led place-based food systems that enhance increasingly threatened environmental resources is contingent upon stakeholders adopting a territorial, reflexive governance approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Luke Owen & Donna Udall & Alex Franklin & Moya Kneafsey, 2020. "Place-Based Pathways to Sustainability: Exploring Alignment between Geographical Indications and the Concept of Agroecology Territories in Wales," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-25, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:12:p:4890-:d:371890
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Junko Kimura & Cyrille Rigolot, 2021. "The Potential of Geographical Indications (GI) to Enhance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Japan: Overview and Insights from Japan GI Mishima Potato," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Emilie Vandecandelaere & Luis Fernando Samper & Andrés Rey & Ana Daza & Pablo Mejía & Florence Tartanac & Massimo Vittori, 2021. "The Geographical Indication Pathway to Sustainability: A Framework to Assess and Monitor the Contributions of Geographical Indications to Sustainability through a Participatory Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-20, July.
    3. Morgane Millet & Valerie Keast & Stefano Gonano & François Casabianca, 2020. "Product Qualification as a Means of Identifying Sustainability Pathways for Place-Based Agri-Food Systems: The Case of the GI Corsican Grapefruit (France)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-22, September.
    4. Faustine Ruggieri & Cécile Coulon-Leroy & Armelle Mazé, 2023. "How Can Collective Action Support the Agroecological Transition in Geographical Indication Vineyards? Insights from the Loire Valley Wine Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, June.
    5. Claire Bernard-Mongin & Jimmy Balouzat & Elise Chau & Alice Garnier & Stéphanie Lequin & François Lerin & Ahmet Veliji, 2021. "Geographical Indication Building Process for Sharr Cheese (Kosovo): “Inside Insights” on Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-23, May.
    6. Venn, Rosemary & Burbi, Sara, 2023. "Agroforestry policy development in England: a question of knowledge transference," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    7. Inês Gusman & Alan Sandry, 2022. "The Economies of Identities: Recognising the Economic Value of the Characteristics of Territories," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-21, July.
    8. Stefano Poponi & Gabriella Arcese & Enrico Maria Mosconi & Francesco Pacchera & Olimpia Martucci & Grazia Chiara Elmo, 2021. "Multi-Actor Governance for a Circular Economy in the Agri-Food Sector: Bio-Districts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-21, April.

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