Geographic indication of animal products and farm animal biodiversity: case of twelve Northern and five Mediterranean Member States of the European Union

Abstract

On the basis of data on 337 protected animal products and information contained in available databases, the review paper analyses relations and interaction between protection and conservation of farm animal biodiversity and protection of quality food products of animal origin in the Northern and Mediterranean Members States of the European Union that apply both the system of registration and protection of geographic origin of animal products (PDO and PGI) and the system of conservation of farm animal genetic resources. One third of PDO/PGI cow cheeses, almost all sheep and goat cheeses and all cheeses made of mix of cow, sheep and goat milk, or sheep and goat milk, come from local breeds. The EU system of registration and protection of geographic indication (GI) of origin of quality traditional animal products contributes also to the sustainable utilization of 14% of cattle breeds, 10% of sheep breeds and 11% of goat breeds covered by in situ conservation programs. The system supports the sustainable utilization and conservation of local farm animal genetic resources and contributes to the attainment of multiple policy objectives related to rural development and biodiversity. Therefore, the PDO/PGI system is of particular importance for farm animal biodiversity and for conservation of farm animal genetic resources in the Mediterranean Member States of the European Union.