Origin food schemes and the paradox of reducing diversity to defend it

Origin food schemes (OFS) aim to protect and promote a unique product resulting from specific place know-how whose qualities are objectified in the specifications. This paper explores standardisation effects of OFS on diversity local practices knowledge by analysing emergence specifications four origin cheeses recognised as Geographical Indications Slow Food Presidia (Chefchaouen goat cheese Morocco, Piacentinu Ennese Italy, Béarn mountain Ossau-Iraty France). Results confirm that directly preserve some genetic resources, taste, know-how, whilst they also show traditional production taken into account differently, depending negotiations among stakeholders during which opposing motives, strategies, forms may emerge. We argue paradoxically this process results adapting reducing existing diversity, including more oriented towards localising promoting tastes.