Federica Demaria

Purpose: New genomic techniques (NGTs) are increasingly regarded as promising tools to enhance agricultural sustainability and climate resilience. The present study aims to examine how European grape growers perceive and assess emerging NGTs, with a particular focus on producers of Pinot Noir from Burgundy, Champagne and Jura, for whom biotechnological innovation is particularly contentious due to the cultural, commercial and appellation-related centrality of varietal typicity. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts qualitative and quantitative approaches in a two-study research design. Study 1 presents findings from a qualitative exploration of 18 grape growers across six major European wine-producing countries, examining their knowledge, perceptions and attitudes toward NGTs through content and sentiment analysis. Study 2 is a case study based on a structured survey of French Pinot Noir producers. It combines descriptive analysis of Likert-scale responses with an ordered probit model to examine the determinants of adoption intentions. The analysis focuses on cultural-symbolic concerns, moral attitudes, trust and perceptions of EU policy support in shaping resistance to NGTs in viticulture. Findings: Results from the European-wide study show that grape growers recognize the potential environmental and agronomic benefits of NGTs, particularly in relation to climate adaptation and reduced chemical inputs. However, their acceptance remains cautious and conditional due to regulatory uncertainty, concerns about consumer acceptance and limited knowledge of these technologies. The Pinot Noir case study reveals a predominance of neutral and negative attitudes toward NGTs, with producers showing limited willingness to adopt these technologies and low support for EU-led promotion measures. Concerns related to terroir integrity, tradition, reputational risk and market acceptance emerge as key barriers to adoption. Originality/value: This research addresses the lack of empirical evidence on how European grape growers, particularly those operating in high-identity segments such as Pinot Noir, interpret and evaluate NGTs under conditions of regulatory uncertainty.

1. Voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) play a crucial role in enhancing market access and competitiveness, particularly for developing countries seeking to strengthen their position in global...

Severe climate conditions and fungal diseases have significantly impacted global wine production, reaching its lowest levels in decades. While vineyards struggle with these challenges, the European Green Deal seeks to reduce pesticide use. Developing resilient grape varieties with strong quality standards is essential for the industry's future. This study examines how European producers perceive New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), innovative methods that enhance plant traits without adding foreign DNA, improving grape resistance to environmental and biological stresses while promoting more sustainable production. Employing qualitative methods, semi-structured interviews were conducted across six major wine-producing countries. Thematic analysis revealed a complex and diverse range of opinions. Growers recognized NGTs' potential to optimize resource management, enhance climate resilience, and reduce production costs, directly contributing to more sustainable practices. However, significant barriers were identified, including ethical concerns, consumer acceptance, influenced by misinformation and fear of new technologies, and legislative uncertainties, particularly the EU's regulatory framework. Furthermore, farmers' knowledge gaps and adherence to traditional methods posed internal barriers. The need for transparent communication was highlighted as a critical factor, as well as the importance of addressing these multiple challenges through stakeholder engagement and informed policymaking.

The agricultural sector could benefit from biotechnologies in addressing challenges such as pests, droughts, and food supply issues. Genetically modified (GM) crops have been developed to offer not only economic advantages to farmers but also to contribute positively to the environment, human health, and consumer well-being. However, consumers’ hesitancy in buying GM food may stem from societal reactions to how biotechnologies in agriculture have been regulated so far. The legislative debate that led, in early 2024, to the approval of Commission’s proposal (COM(2023) 411 final) – aimed at simplifying the authorization process for plants obtained with certain new genomic techniques (NGTs) – has sparkled public discussion in the European Union on the application of biotechnologies in agriculture. This work aims to investigate Italian consumers’ acceptance toward GM food. Through data collected from an original survey (N = 564), we tested a) their level of knowledge of GM techniques; b) if they are aware of differences between established techniques based on classical approaches of crossing and selection and more precise biotechnological techniques; c) their propensity to buy GM food, with a specific focus on food safety and environmental sustainability issues. By using a Multinomial Logit Model (MNL), starting from three hypotheses, the study highlights a gap in knowledge transfer and, in general, the communication process. This results in widespread misinformation that hinders informed consumer choices. The study also emphasizes consumers’ sensitivity to food safety, including environmental issues, but still related to food safety issues.

The ever-increasing development of assisted evolution technologies (AETs) in agriculture has boosted crop improvement. The commercialization of improved biotech crops can be promoted by modern gene editing instead of conventional genetic modification, which is a cheaper and faster approach that can help address future agriculture challenges, such as food security, environmental sustainability, and climate change. However, the use of these technologies is still sensitive and debated in many countries. Each region promotes a different approach, depending on regulatory policies, and adopting these technologies requires knowledge of consumer views and stakeholder acceptance. For this purpose, we conducted a survey of 564 Italians regarding their knowledge of genetic techniques, informational tools, purchase preferences, environmental sustainability, and food safety issues. The research aims are twofold: (a) to assess the level of knowledge and (b) to determine how consumer background, including social and demographic characteristics, affects their level of knowledge. Our findings emphasize the importance of communication and dissemination activities, in which clarity and a broad appeal are key.

The relationship between subsidies and the technical efficiency of farms has important policy implications. The impact on efficiency can depend on the type of grant. Here, three macrocategories of subsidy are distinguished. With reference to a large sample of Italian dairy farms, the macrocategory of rural development payments is further broken down according to the main types of subsidy received. A stochastic frontier analysis based on the Farm Accountancy Data Network reveals a heterogeneous influence of these categories. Subsidies coupled with production are associated with greater efficiency. Decoupled grants have a negative influence on efficiency when pursuing agri‐environmental policy objectives, and no impact on efficiency when supporting the income of farms or promoting the transfer of knowledge and competitiveness. [EconLit Citations: C13, Q12].

Nowadays, trade negotiations afford both liberalism- and protectionism-oriented policies. Indeed, in recent decades, the developed countries have been actively engaged in negotiating many preferential agreements to integrate developing countries (DCs) into world trade and encourage their economic growth, but many of these schemes contrast with the complex rules, often imposed on international markets, that still are an obstacle for exporters. Their presence and related costs reduce the importance of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) in increasing trade flows. This article attempts to assess the impact of preferential trade policies on trade flows controlling for different non-tariff barriers (NTBs), using a structural gravity model. The analysis uses disaggregated data, registered in the year 2017, on EU imports (defined at level HS-6 digit) from a large number of exporters (187 developed and developing countries) and also includes the intra-EU trade. Our results show robust and positive estimates for the impact of preferences on bilateral trade flows, however, higher non-tariff barriers are likely to play a role in reducing both the extensive margins of trade, and so tariff preferences alone are not sufficient to access international markets. The impact of NTBs on the intensive margin of trade is ambiguous; some measures may act as catalysts and therefore increase trade, and others may act as an additional cost of trade and thus hinder trade.