30/11/2022 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 28 November, the French Association of Industrial and Artisanal Geographical Indications (AFIGIA), the Portuguese Centre for Vocational Training in Crafts and Heritage (CEARTE) and Pierres et Marbres de Wallonie sent a letter to the Council of the EU. In it, they are particularly critical of the general approach on geographical indications for industrial and artisanal products that is expected to be adopted at the Competitiveness Council on 1 December (see EUROPE 13064/13). They therefore ask to keep the definition of artisanal products proposed by the European Commission. They object to the fact that a single stage of production in a territory is sufficient to grant geographical indication protection. They call for alignment with the documents required for agricultural geographical indications. Finally, they demand a strengthening of the controls envisaged in the EU Council’s position. To consult the document: https://aeur.eu/f/4d2 (PH)