17/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On 11 December, negotiators from the European Union and Switzerland concluded discussions for a bilateral agreement on the protection of geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs. This draft agreement covers some 800 geographical indications currently registered in the EU, and around 20 registered in Switzerland. The whole range of geographical indications will thereby be protected, as the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on agricultural trade, which has been in place since June 2002, already provides protection for wines and spirits. The draft agreement provides for an update mechanism and regular consultations, which will allow new geographical indications to be added. (L.C./trans.fl).