must be voluntary. Indeed, the regulation states that it aims to encourage producers to adopt sustainable practices that go beyond mandatory standards and encompass environmental, social and economic objectives27. Sustainability practices should contribute to one or more environmental, social or economic objectives. Environmental objectives should include climate change mitigation and adaptation, conservation and sustainable use of land, landscape, water and natural resources, preservation of biodiversity, conservation of rare seeds, species and local plant varieties, promotion of short supply chains, and management and promotion of animal welfare. Social objectives should include improving working and employment conditions, as well as collective agreements, social protection and safety standards, attracting and assisting young and new producers of products designated by a geographical indication in order to facilitate generational renewal and promote solidarity and the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next. Economic objectives should include ensuring stable and fair incomes and a strong position in the value chain for producers of products designated by a geographical indication, improving the economic value of products designated by a geographical indication and the distribution of added value throughout the value chain, as well as contributing to the diversification of the rural economy and local development, including jobs in the agricultural sector, and the preservation of rural areas28. As a result, sustainable agricultural and wine-growing production methods within the meaning of this regulation will be finding their way onto our plates and into our glasses. However, questions remain as to which criteria should be taken into account. Indeed, if industrial livestock farming is likely to be banned from gourmet dishes on the grounds that it does not meet farm animal welfare criteria, what will happen to irrigated crops? And what about products grown in heated greenhouses? In other words, will the sustainability criteria of Regulation 2024/1142 call into question the benefits of a GI in the medium to long term? If so, are we not gradually moving towards signs of quality AND sustainability for our best agricultural and wine products? At present, it is difficult to answer these useful questions objectively. If so, food lovers will be able to enjoy their gourmet meals with peace of mind, knowing that the farmers who produced the ingredients that elegantly adorn their plates have been fairly remunerated. 27 EU Regulation 2024/1142, Recital 23. 28 EU Regulation 2024/1142, Recital 24. 375 LAW AND GASTRONOMY IN LIGHT OF REGULATION (EU) 2024/1143
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTE4NzM5Nw==