The ex officio protection of PDO/PGI successfully implemented in the UK
Last week, the London’s famous store “Harrods” blocked online and in-store sales of olive oil not corresponding to the product specification of the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) “Toscano”, but sold as “made using 100% Tuscan olives”. Such label clearly infringes the rights deriving from the Italian PGI. Following the initiative of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture’s Inspectorate for safeguarding quality and suppressing frauds in food and agricultural products (ICQRF), the UK Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) promptly acted to secure such result.
More information @ http://www.corriere.it/english/14_febbraio_26/counterfeit-tuscan-olive-oil-at-harrods-2c3d80ac-9edb-11e3-a5c9-783ac0edee3c.shtml
This was possible thanks to the so-called ex officio protection of PDO/PGI, available under the EU Regulation 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs, which adoption in 2012 was strongly supported by oriGIn. In this context, oriGIn is currently implementing a project aimed at ensuring more harmonized application of the ex officio protection of PDO/PGI (as well as of compliance controls) within the EU. More info @ http://www.origin-gi.com/index.php/en/site_content/117-news/6673-28-11-2013-origin-activities-in-the-framework-of-the-eu-sponsored-project-%E2%80%9Ctraining-programme-on-quality-schemes-pdo-pgi-tsg.html#.Uxc6bPl5NZc
The XVI edition of the “Habanos” Festival
From 24 to 28 of February 2014, Cuba became the stage for the XVI edition of the “Habanos” Festival, the largest international meeting for the enthusiasts of the famous appellation of origin. Some 1,500 entrepreneurs, businessmen, collectors, publishers, sommeliers, wine tasters, directors, artists, producers and lovers of cigars from some 80 countries attended the event this year.
Despite the impact of the global crisis, “Habanos” continues to strengthen in the world thanks to its quality and reputation. In 2013 international sales of “Habanos” cigars have increased of the 8% accounting for revenues of 447 million USD.
More information @ http://174.142.167.193/topstory-International-sales-of-Cuban-cigars-increase-20057.html
Upcoming Training Programs on GIs
The associate member of oriGIn REDD, in cooperation with CIRAD, announces two forthcoming sessions of “InterGI”, an international training module on GIs.
More information about the program and registration is available @ http://www.intergi.org/welcome
