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Geographical Indications

(GIs)

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Why have Geographical Indications at all?

• 1) They are a protective tool: they protect the producer from counterfeiting and the consumer from fraud.

• 2) They are a marketing tool.• 3) They are a rural development tool. • 4) They are a tool for economic justice.

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Why? 1) They protect both consumer and

producer

• They add value to and protect a demanding and determined approach adopted by producers.

• They provide the consumer with more detailed information on the origin and quality of the product (provenance, process, verifications carried out).

• They ensure that the product is traceable.

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Why?2) Promotion and a passport for

export

• GIs promote products by raising the market profile of notorious, unique and high-quality goods.

• GIs highlight the authentic image of a defined region or locality of origin.

• GIs are recognised internationally.

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Why?3) A different approach to

production• Maintenance and revitalisation of the local rural

fabric.

• Added value for products made according to traditional practices.

• Promotion of the national agricultural heritage and preservation of cultural traditions.

• Encouragement of biodiversity.

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Why?4) A tool for economic justice

• Potential GI abundance spread equally between countries of North and South.

• Protection provided by governments at less cost for producers.

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What exactly is a Geographical Indication (GI)?

• A GI is the name of a region or locality and designates a product which originates in that region or locality.

• The GI, linked as it is to traditional practices, enjoys a high reputation.

• A GI cannot be created – it can only be recognised. It confirms the value of products which already exist.

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What are GIs? Intellectual property rights

• The GI is a specific, distinctive intellectual property right.

• It is an intellectual property right recognised in 150 countries (WTO TRIPS Agreement)

• It is a collective right of use.

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The WTO TRIPS Agreement recognises on an equal footing

• Copyright and related rights.

• Trademarks.

• Geographical Indications.

• Industrial designs.

• Patents.

• Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits

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WTO definition of GIs

• ‘Geographical indications are indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a Member, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin’

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GIs differ from an indication of provenance

• An indication of provenance simply provides information on the country or region from which the product comes,

• But it does not indicate any link between the place of origin and the characteristics of that product.

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GIs: increasingly used around the world

• China: Long Jin tea, Maotaï, Shaoxin yellow rice wine, Xuan Weï ham.

• Vietnam: Nuoc Mam fish sauce from Phu Quoc

• A huge potential : Thaï jasmine Hom Mali Rice, Darjeeling tea (India), coffees (Indonesia, Kenya, Central America,…)

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GIs in Europe

• In the EU, Geographical Indications relate to processed and unprocessed agricultural products.

• Two concepts: Protected Designation of Origin and Protected Geographical Indication (for products other than wines and spirits).

• Geographical Indications are protected under EU regulations.

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Examples of GIs in Europe

• A sparkling wine: Champagne (France)

• A fortified wine: Port (Portugal)

• A cheese: Parmigiano Reggiano (Italy)

• Confectionery: Jijona (Spain)

• A vegetable: Jersey Royal Potato (United Kingdom)

• A meat product: Ardennes ham (Belgium)

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GIs in France

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GIs in France

• A long tradition: wine GIs

• PDO: corresponds to the French Appellation d ’Origine Contrôlée

• PGI: agricultural quality labels and official compliance certification specifying geographical origin.

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GIs in FranceAOCs, vins de pays,

labels with geographical specification

GIs in Europe PDOs, PGIs & wine GIs

GIs at international levelWTO TRIPS Agreement

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The Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC)

• An old French concept;

• Implies a strong link between product and region or locality of origin;

• Necessitates production, processing and finalisation of the product in a defined geographical area;

• Compliance verified by the public authorities.

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Examples of French GIs

• Spirits: Cognac, Armagnac

• Wines: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Languedoc local wines

• Cheeses: Roquefort, Reblochon

• Meat products: Bayonne ham

• Plant products: Baux Valley olive oil, Camargue rice

• Craft products: Puy lace

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GIs in France: major economic importance

• 120,000 agricultural holdings involved.

• Annual net sales of EUR 19 billion.

• The biggest positive foreign trade balance in the agrifood sector.

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GIs: added value for producers - examples

• Added value in price terms: all cheeses covered by GIs - on average 2 euro more per kilo.

• Comté cheese: 10% more paid for milk to producers.

• Bresse chicken: sells at a price 4 times higher than ordinary chicken.

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GIs: how?Setting up the system

• Frame legislation.• Determined, collectively-based approach.• Commitment on the part of groupings of sector

professionals (producers and traders).• Definition of mandatory product specifications.• GIs verified and approved by the authorities.

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GIs: who does what?• Government:

– supplies the legal framework,– approves GIs,– verifies compliance.

• Producer groupings:– talk to government,– commit to the required approach,– help define the mandatory specifications to

be met.

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How? Managing Geographical Indications

• Verification of the mandatory specifications and products by a third party.

• Verifications carried out throughout the supply chain.

• GI products identified by a text or logo.

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Presentation realised by:

– Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Rural Affairs:78 rue de Varenne75349 Paris 07 SPTél. : 01 49 55 49 55www.agriculture.gouv.fr

With the participation of:– Association for the development of international exchanges of food

and agricultural products and technologies (ADEPTA)41 rue de Bourgogne

75007 ParisTél. : 01 44 18 08 88www.adepta.com