This article reviews the differentiated food and agriculture quality policy that has been implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (DARP), since initiatives in this area began. It describes and discusses the regulatory and application process that has put in place, ranging from the initial standards produced by the DARP to the current regulations within the framework of European regulations. We focus primarily on Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) for non-wine agricultural products and foodstuffs, although we also discuss other items currently subject to food and agriculture quality regulations. However, we do not cover wine designations, organic agricultural production or integrated production, which have their own regulatory frameworks.

Catalonia is a very diverse territory in terms of its climate, soil and other factors linked to food and agriculture production. As a result, it has a vast wealth of agricultural and food products, and all of them form part of the culinary traditions of Catalonia’s various regions. The Catalan agrifood sector, made up of agriculture, livestock, traditional crafts and the food industry, and even the hostelry sector, are part of the ‘Catalan food model’, in which the products are made to a high level of safety, diversity and quality. Their diversity and differential quality is a legacy which must be preserved, and knowledge and recognition of this heritage must be enhanced.