Designations of origin and socioeconomic and ecological sustainability: The case of tequila in Mexico [Les appellations d'origine et les durabilit´s socio- economique et ecologique: Le cas de la tequila au Mexique]

Abstract

We use the case of tequila to examine the potential of denominations of origin (DOs) to contribute to socioeconomic and environmental sustainability. The DO for tequila was established by the Mexican government in 1974, making it the oldest geographical indication (GI), and one of the best-recognized outside Europe. Here, we examine the social, economic and ecological impacts that the agave-tequila industry has had on one community in tequila's region of origin, the town of Amatiton. We show that persistent cycles of surplus and shortage of agave and changing production relations in the agave-tequila industry have led to: i) economic insecurity among farm households; ii) increased use of chemical inputs, at the expense of more labor-intensive cultivation practices; and iii) overall declines in fertilizer application, especially during periods in which there is a surplus of agave. The results of this research indicate that although the agave-tequila industry serves as an important source of employment and contributes a major part to the local economy in Amatiton, agave farmers are unevenly and unequally integrated into the agave-tequila production chain, resulting in negative effects on the local economy, social dynamics and environment. In order to make the agave-tequila industry more ecologically and economically sustainable for the region that both sustains and depends on it, it is necessary to increase the power of the agave farmers vis- -vis the tequila companies.