Institut national de l'origine et de la qualité

Paris_-_INAO

Institut national de l'origine et de la qualité (INAO) is a French organization responsible for regulating and overseeing the quality and origin of agricultural products. It is a public administrative institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture.

History

The INAO was established in 1935 to manage the Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system, which was created to protect the names of wines and other agricultural products. Over the years, its responsibilities have expanded to include other quality labels such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG).

Functions

The primary functions of the INAO include:

• Defining and enforcing the criteria for AOC, PDO, PGI, and TSG labels.
• Conducting inspections and audits to ensure compliance with these criteria.
• Promoting the quality and authenticity of French agricultural products.
• Supporting producers in the application process for quality labels.

Quality Labels

The INAO manages several quality labels, including:

• Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC): A French certification granted to certain geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products.
• Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): A European Union certification that protects the names of products which are produced, processed, and prepared in a specific geographical area using recognized know-how.
• Protected Geographical Indication (PGI): A European Union certification that protects the names of products which have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation due to that origin.
• Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG): A European Union certification that highlights traditional character, either in the composition or means of production, without being linked to a specific geographical area.

Structure

The INAO is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from various sectors of the agricultural industry, as well as government officials. The organization is headquartered in Montreuil, near Paris.

Impact

The INAO plays a crucial role in maintaining the reputation of French agricultural products on both national and international levels. By ensuring that products meet strict quality and origin standards, the INAO helps to preserve traditional methods of production and supports the economic viability of rural areas.

See also

• Appellation d'origine contrôlée
• Protected Designation of Origin
• Protected Geographical Indication
• Traditional Speciality Guaranteed
• Ministry of Agriculture (France)