In Strasbourg on Wednesday 28 February, MEPs approved by a large majority (520 votes in favour, 19 against and 64 abstentions) the agreement reached with the EU Council in October 2023 on the reform of the rules on agricultural geographical indications (GIs) (see EUROPE 13278/1).
After the vote, rapporteur Paolo De Castro (S&D, Italian) welcomed the adoption of “a better system, generating added value, without public funds” and said that “after the crises sparked by the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the surge in production prices, the new GIs Regulation finally is good news for European farmers”.
One of the aims of the text is to provide greater protection for GIs against illegal use online, by means of a geo-blocking system.
It also defines when a GI designating a product used as an ingredient may be used in the name, labelling or advertising material of a related processed product.
In addition, the percentage of the ingredient and the name of the producer will have to be indicated on the label “in the interests of transparency and healthy competition”, said Mr De Castro.
Producer groups are also acquiring more rights, including the right to counter devaluing marketing practices and lower prices.
Finally, the Commission will have sole responsibility for monitoring the GI system.
To see the text adopted: https://aeur.eu/f/b24 (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)