Consequences of the establishment of cheese-production chains with a PDO denomination : a case study of the northern Alps

Abstract

In the French northern Alps, a large part of dairy production is processed in cheeses recognized with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO, PGI). Even though this recognition leads to a well-established value of the bovine milk paid to the producers (it is one of the highest currently paid in France), questions remain on the direct and indirect consequences of the establishment of such PDO supply chains on the local characteristics of milk-production organisation and on its evolution. These questions are to be answered in order to help these chains to maintain their position since global changes (Common Agricultural Policy reform) and local changes (intense urbanisation in the northern Alps) are currently occurring. The establishment of cheese-production chains does not lead to notable consequences on the dynamics of common agriculture (i.e network of farms). Nevertheless, it has brought about a high specialisation of agricultural activity towards milk production as well as a higher preservation of milk farms in highly urbanised areas. These facts concerning the predefined global and local changes are discussed in the subsequent paper.