PGI Ternasco de aragón lamb in Spain

Abstract

The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Ternasco de Aragón (lamb from Aragón) in Spain corresponds to a traditional grazing system of five autochthonous breeds, whose economic and environmental advantages enhanced the development of livestock in Aragón for centuries. The Ternasco de Aragón has gone from being a product for special occasions to being a meat considered as nutritious and healthy and well as tender and flavoursome. The certification scheme makes it the leading certified fresh meat in Spain, and it holds a high position on the domestic market, and there appear to be market opportunities in Europe and Asia. Sustainability indicators show that Ternasco de Aragon is more sustainable than its conventional reference product (lamb from the same region). Social and economic indicators are clearly better while environmental indicators give mixed results. The carbon footprint at the processed stage is higher due to lower productivity, but it is compensated by lower values for the food miles indicator. The Ternasco de Aragón scheme can be defined as a system or collective participation which helps sheep farmers and distributors to preserve local breeds and disseminate a product which generates identity in the geographical area of production.