Search

This paper examines the impact of Geographical Indications in cheese mountain areas, exploring their potential to contribute to landscape and environmental sustainability by drawing on field work and documental evidences from Cabrales (Asturias, NW Spain). The Cabrales mountain, nestled in the Picos de Europa National Park, embraces a millenary culture linked to the elaboration of an intense flavor blue cheese. The commercial success of this cheese motivated, 40 years ago, the creation of the Cabrales Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). From that moment on, the implementation of certain control measures that affect the production process, together with the increase in demand, led to the disappearance of small producers and to the intensification of livestock management practices. Cheese producers took the opportunity that the PDO label gave them, and the PDO provided the context in which cheese production became an effective barrier against the degradation of the rural system. However, nowadays the intensification of livestock management practices constitutes the main threat to landscape and environmental conservation. Therefore, Local administrators and stakeholders should consider the need to reinforce the idea of a product whose quality is linked to environmental and landscape sustainability through the maintenance of the traditional extensive management practices. • Cabrales cheese production acts as a barrier against the demotion of the rural system. • Increased demand caused the emergence of differences in cheese production. • Extensive production is linked to a superior cheese that increases brand prestige. • Intensification of livestock management practices hinders landscape conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of berry, a fruit highly appreciated by consumers, has considerably increased in the last years. Europe Union has 1.55 millions of smallholdings dedicated to blueberry farming. Actually, it is an important sector on Spain agrifood exports, especially in Asturias. In order to increase sustainability in crops, it is necessary to identify the key environmental aspects. Blueberry cultivation methods are well documented in bibliography, but Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) researches are virtually inexistent in Europe. For this reason, this work has studied from an environmental perspective four blueberry orchards sit in Asturias (Northern Spain) and the field agricultural practises used. LCA results showed that the main environmental impacts of blueberry production were originated by the use of fertilisers, followed by the use of fossil fuels, plastic and paper materials and incineration of pruning. Significant differences between conventional and organic crops have not been found. The carbon footprints (CF) obtained in this study were between 0.32 kg and 1.66 kg CO 2 -eq/kg blueberry. CF values obtained in two of the systems analysed were within the literature ranges, between 0.20 and 0.80 kg CO 2 -eq. per kg of fruit. However, higher values were found in the other two orchards. Environment improvements have been proposed for each particular case. Results here obtained could be used to support policy changes, such as the implementation of sustainable practices in order to lead to a more sustainable blueberry production with lower GHG emissions. [Display omitted] • Blueberry orchards at small scale in Europe were analysed by LCA. • Realistic improvement actions were proposed to reduce the environmental impacts. • Fertilisers, fossil fuels and wastes were the most relevant sources of impacts. • Carbon footprint decreased by employing good agricultural and environmental conditions (GAEC). • Small orchards and moderate productivities entails low environmental impacts and GAEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]