The European Commission is expected to adopt a proposal to revise the rules on geographical indications on Thursday 31 March, EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said on Monday 21 March.
At the Agriculture Council, Spain presented a joint declaration by sixteen EU countries in favour of strengthening, not weakening, EU rules on geographical indications (GIs).
Mr Wojciechowski was keen to reassure the countries concerned, noting in particular the need to make the GI system more attractive to producers and consumers. He also stressed the need to ensure greater protection, especially on the Internet, and to clarify legal procedures.
The legislative proposal will, according to the Commission, aim to encourage the adoption of GIs across the EU, especially in countries with a lower number of registered GIs.
On the examination of the files, the Commissioner justified the choice of entrusting the task not to the Commission’s agricultural services but to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). With regard to sustainability, the Commission promotes a fair balance so that producers see a benefit to their business from sustainability commitments.
“I encourage and welcome the voluntary approach”, said the Commissioner.
The strategic plans of the Common Agricultural Policy should include tools to strengthen producer groups. Finally, the Official Controls Regulation provides a good framework for GI controls, while offering Member States some flexibility, according to the Commission.
The Spanish Minister, Luis Planas, considered in particular that the final evaluation of GIs should be maintained within the Commission services. Spain also believes that the new regulatory framework should not impose the mandatory inclusion of sustainability requirements in GI terms of reference.
Portugal, Greece and Italy, in particular, supported Spanish requests for geographical indications. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)