This book addresses the relevance of geographical indication (GI) as a tool for local and socioeconomic development and democratization of agri-food, with case studies from Asia, Europe and the Americas.
A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess a reputation or qualities that are due to that origin. It provides a way for businesses to not only leverage the value of their geographically unique products but also inform and attract consumers. A highly contested topic, GI is praised as a tool for the revitalization of agricultural communities while also criticized for being an instrument exploited by global corporate forces to promote their interests. There are concerns that the promotion of GI may hamper the establishment of democratic forms of development. The contributing authors address this topic by offering theoretically informed investigations of GI from around the world. The book includes case studies that include green tea in Japan, olive oil in Turkey, dried fish in Norway, French wine and Mexican Mezcal. It also places GI in the broader context of the evolution and trends of agri-food under neoliberal globalization.
The book will be of interest to researchers, policymakers and students in agri-food studies, sociology of food and agriculture, geography, agricultural and rural economics, environmental and intellectual property law and social development.