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oriGIn nurtures the debate on the reform of the GI law in Mexico
From 02 to 06 June 2014, the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) celebrated in Guadalajara its 20th Anniversary as well as the 40 years of the recognition of the Appellation of Origin “Tequila”, with a full program of activities organized as a tribute to the first Mexican Appellation of Origin and its contribution to the local economy.
oriGIn and several of its members (Cámara Paraguaya de la Stevia, Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne, Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia, Syndicat du Pruneau d’Agen) were in Guadalajara at this occasion and shared their experience at an international seminar organized in the framework of the Anniversary to discuss sustainability and innovation in the GI sector.
A panel was dedicated to the priorities and challenges in protection and enforcement of GIs. In this framework, oriGIn presented its work to ensure a coherent implementation of the ex officio protection of agricultural GIs within the European Union Member States. Likewise, oriGIn facilitated the participation in the Panel of Mr Gualtieri, Member Ex Officio Protection Unit of the Central Inspectorate for Quality Protection and Fraud Repression (ICQRF) to present the Italian experience in the implementation of the ex officio protection as a success story. The participation of Mr Salgado – Member of the Mexican Parliament leading the initiative for the reform of the Mexican law on GIs – has been crucial in making this panel an opportunity for the Mexican authorities get useful insights for the ongoing GI law reform. In particular, Mr Salgado expressed a high interest for the EU system of enforcement of GIs.
Bilateral negotiations: GIs become contentious in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and Japan
Within the framework of the FTA between the EU and Japan, the European Commission is pushing for solid provisions on GIs, accompanied by a short list of 205 European GIs to be recognised in Japan.
However, a draft law containing provisions that would not allow the coexistence of GIs with prior trademarks and would permit subsequent “genericness” of protected GIs – approved by one branch of the Japanese Parliament and expected to be adopted definitively before the summer – is threatening the negotiations. Japan’s Liquor Act provides for sui generis protection of GI wine and spirit names. Specific legislation for protecting GI agricultural and foodstuff names is in preparation.
By the end of July, the European Commission, following consultations with Member States, will decide whether to continue the negotiations with Japan.
Legal Affairs: Quebec Ice Wine applies to get its GI protection
This month, the Québec Wine Growers Association (“Association des Vignerons du Québec”, AVQ) submitted to the “Conseil des Appellations Réservées et des Termes Valorisants” (CARTV) the application to obtain GI protection for Quebec Ice Wine (wine made from frozen harvested grapes).
In this framework, the CARTV launched a public consultation for a period of 45 days, starting on Friday, 6th June, 2014. Within this time-frame, any interested party has the chance to submit observations and comments about the GI application.
All relevant documents are available (only in French) @ http://www.cartv.gouv.qc.ca/demande-reconnaissance-pour-ligp-vin-glace-quebec
The EU: new Commissioner for Agriculture and constitution of the Committee on Agricultural and Rural Development of the European Parliament
Following the 25th May elections of the European Parliament, the Commission will be renewed by the end of 2014. It will assume its functions on 1 November 2014.
Concerning the post of Commissioner for Agriculture, several names are already being proposed: Dacian CIOLOS (the current Romanian Commissioner for Agriculture, who declared being prepared for a new mandate), Miguel Arias CANETE (Spanish, new elected member of European Parliament), Paolo DE CASTRO (Italian, Member of European Parliament and outgoing President of the European Parliament Commission for Agriculture) and Phil HOGAN (Irish Minister of the Environment).
The meeting to constitute the Committee on Agricultural and Rural Development of the European Parliament should take place in Brussels on 7 July. A member of the European green party is expected to replace Mr. Paolo De Castro as President of the Committee.
