MILAN, Sept 14 (Class Editori) – Today, the EU and China have signed a bilateral agreement in order to protect 100 EU geographical indications in China and 100 Chinese geographic indications in the EU from usurpation and imitation. The agreement, firstly achieved in November 2019, should generate mutual commercial benefits and allow consumers of both parties to have access to guaranteed quality products.
For Italy, this means guarantees on 27 protected geographical indications, among which gorgonzola cheese, Parma and San Daniele ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, grappa, Franciacorta, Dolcetto d'Alba and Chianti wines; bresaola from Valtellina, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco wine, Brunello wine from Montalcino, mozzarella di bufala from Campania, taleggio cheese, barolo wine, balsamic vinegar of Modena.
“I am proud of the further step we made towards the enter into force of this agreement, which is the sign of our commitment to closely collaborating with our global commercial partners, such as China”, as Janusz Wojciechowski- Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural development- has explained. “The products of the EU geographical indications are renowned for their quality and their diversity; in addition, it is important to protect them both at a European and a global level in order to ensure their authenticity and safeguard their reputation. This agreement will contribute in this way, by strengthening our trade relations, for the benefit of our agribusiness sector and consumers of both parties”.
In 2019, China was the third destination country for European agri-food products, by reaching €14.5 billion, as well as the second destination in terms of exports of products with protected geographical indications (accounting for 9% of the value), among which wines, agri-food products and spirits. Moreover, thanks to this agreement, European consumers will be able to discover real Chinese specialties.
Among the Chinese geographical indications have been listed, for instance, Pixian Dou Ban (Pixian bean paste), Anji Bai Cha (Anji white tea), Panjin Da Mi (Panjin rice) and Anqiu Da Jiang (Anqiu ginger).
After the signature and approval by the European Parliament, the agreement will be officially adopted by the Council and should enter into force by the end of 2021.
Within four years since the entry into force, the scope of the application will be extended in order to include 175 geographical indications from both parties. The same approval procedure already implemented for the 100 companies already included in the agreement (namely evaluation and publication of remarks) will be followed also for these designations.
With more than 3,300 EU registered names recorded as geographical indications, the EU quality policy aims at protecting the geographical indications of specific products, in order to promote the unique features related to the geographical origin and traditional knowledge.
About 1,250 geographical indications of third countries are protected in the EU, thanks to bilateral agreements, as the one signed with China. In terms of value, the market of the EU geographical indications is equal to about €74.8 billion, namely 6.8% of the European food and beverage products, with exports amounting at €16.9 billion, accounting for 15.4% of all the EU exports of food and beverage products. (All rights reserved)
(Source:Class Editori)
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