William Atkins
Friday, 06 February 2009 20:54
Science -
Climate
Page 2 of 4
In 1974, the Mexican government established the geographical indication (GI) for Tequila, the first GI to be granted outside of Europe. Today, Mexican law also permits the word Tequila to be placed on other agave-based alcohols that are produced in other areas of Mexico.
Because of the uniqueness with Tequila with its locality of origin, the authors decided to 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 Amatitán.”
Bowen and Valenzuela Zapata found that because Tequila is tied to this town in Mexico, a periodic cycle has arisen over the years.
Part of the year the area has a surplus of agave, but at other times there are shortages of the plant. Because of this continuing cycle, the agave-tequila industry has felt:
“(1) economic insecurity among farm households;”
“(2) increased use of chemical inputs, at the expense of more labor-intensive cultivation practices; and”
“(3) overall declines in fertilizer application, especially during periods in which there is a surplus of agave.”
According to the January 13 2009 North Carolina State University press release
Tequila Boom Triggers Social, Environmental Hangover in Mexico,
"… the new study, co-authored by NC State's Dr. Sarah Bowen, shows that the tequila GI is neither socially nor ecologically sustainable, and may serve as a lesson for other regions in Asia and the Americas that are currently trying to establish GIs.”
Page three quotes Dr. Bowen with respect to her findings.
