Title: A review on the relation between European protected areas, farming systems and labelled agri-food products with a protected area logo

Authors: Athina Koutsouki; Stefanos Nastis; Dimitrios Zikos

Addresses: Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece ' Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece ' SRH University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, Germany

Abstract: Agricultural practices exert significant influence on the conservation and sustainable management of European protected areas (PAs). Traditional low-intensity farming systems have become unprofitable leading to either abandonment or intensification of farming practices. These changes have contributed to the environmental degradation of biodiversity-rich agricultural landscapes and the loss of valuable cultural knowledge. The development of certification and labelling schemes of high quality agri-food products with a PA logo could generate environmental improvements and positive socio-economic changes. This paper review presents the findings of existing studies focusing on the relationship between the European PAs, farming systems and certification/ labelling schemes of agri-food products with a PA logo. Academic research on the subject is limited but provides valuable insights. The findings can serve as a starting point for discussions and reveal opportunities for further research to better understand the interrelations and additional effects emerging from the labelling/certification of high quality agri-food products within PAs.

Keywords: European protected areas; farming systems; low-intensity farming; agri-food products; labelling schemes; sustainable rural development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2025.147248

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, 2025 Vol.11 No.3, pp.249 - 269

Received: 12 Dec 2023
Accepted: 16 Feb 2024
Published online: 14 Jul 2025 *

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