AbstractThis chapter sets out to widen the debate on geographical indications (GIs), situating protection policies in the EU in the broader context of the public policies with which they are more or less directly involved. First, after presenting the historical and geographical justifications behind GI protection policies, it will be seen that they relate to various wider public policies (market, agricultural, and rural development policies), with which they may be consistent or contradictory. Lastly, the chapter looks at the impact that GI protection policies may have so as to demonstrate the need for converging justifications in the future.