Union quality schemes OR merits of Union agricultural products

- For information provision and promotion programmes aiming at increasing the awareness and recognition of Union quality schemes mentioned in Article 5(4), points (a) and (c) of Regulation (EU) No 1144/2014:

The objective is to increase the awareness and recognition of the Union quality schemes, namely:

(a) quality schemes: protected designation of origin (PDO), protected geographical indication (PGI), traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG) and optional quality terms;

(b) the logo for quality agriculture products specific to the outermost regions of the Union.

One of the expected results is to increase the levels of recognition of the logo associated with the Union quality schemes by the European consumers and increased knowledge of the information the quality schemes aim to provide. According to Special Eurobarometer 520, only 16% of Europeans consumers recognize the logos of products that benefit from a protected designation of origin (PDO), 22% recognise a protected geographical indication (PGI), and 16% recognise a traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG), these being the main Union quality schemes.

The expected ultimate impact is to increase awareness of the Union quality scheme and to enhance the competitiveness and consumption of Union agri-food products registered under a Union quality scheme, raise their profile and increase their market share.

- For information provision and promotion programmes highlighting the specific features of agricultural methods in the Union and the characteristics of EU agri-food products and quality schemes mentioned in Article 5(4)(d) of Regulation (EU) No 1144/2014.

The objective is to highlight at least one of the specific features of agricultural production methods in the Union, particularly in terms of food safety, traceability, authenticity, labelling, nutritional and health aspects, animal welfare, respect for the environment and sustainability (including climate benefits such as the greenhouse gas emissions reduction and/or increase in carbon removals) and the characteristics of agricultural and food products, particularly in terms of their quality, taste, diversity or traditions.

The expected impact is to increase the awareness of the merits of Union agricultural products by the consumers and to enhance the competitiveness and consumption of the concerned Union agri-food products, raise their profile and increase their market share.