Names of varieties & labels: GEVES and INAO pool resources to enhance the value of plant varieties and sectors
Geographical labels that promote the value of regions and human skills are developing rapidly. Short chains can be favoured, as can consumption in another region or country. However, these promotional tools can cause confusion for consumers between products from these labels and brands and old heritage varieties which may not be included in the specifications of the labels and brands. The denominations of these promotional tools and those of old varieties sometimes both include a geographical name, locating the place of production for the products under the label and the place of origin of the old variety. In order to avoid such confusion, GEVES and INAO (Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité) have initiated exchanges to better share their experiences and pool their respective skills in the field of varieties and quality signs.
Several vegetable and fruit labelling projects are currently being discussed at regional and national level, such as varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris beans whose names contain the expression “de Soissons” and a PGI (protected geographical indication) project “Haricot de Soissons” based on a variety of Phaseolus coccineus. GEVES, the regional delegation of INAO and the PGI project leaders have been working together to propose ways of distinguishing the varieties and the future PGI.
