Quality food productions beyond borders: examining cross-border geographical indications

Abstract

European Union (EU) policies embrace a wide range of mechanisms to promote the territorial harmonisation and integration of the EU regions. This paper seeks to connect two of these policies that have not previously been subject to joint examination: on the one hand, EU agricultural and rural development policies promoting geographical indications for food and, on the other, cross-border cooperation projects and structures developed as part of the Interreg programme. Although the first cross-border geographical indication (CBGI) for food was designated back in 2012, little research has been carried out to assess the performance of CBGIs. This paper aims to bridge this research gap by conducting two case studies in areas where CBGIs have emerged: namely, Istria (Slovenia/Croatia) and the Eastern Pyrenees (France/Spain). The study, based on the intensive interviewing of stakeholders directly involved in their management and governance, shows that cross-border cooperation in these two areas remains exiguous and limited for a series of reasons, including the absence of any actual structures of cooperation and a pervasive ‘territorial trap’ mentality. The paper concludes that future policies need to ensure adequate conditions for facilitating the fully integrated management of CBGIs.