Geographical indications (GI) for EU non-agricultural products
15.12.2017
Question for written answer E-007786-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ignazio Corrao (EFDD) , David Borrelli (EFDD) , Fabio Massimo Castaldo (EFDD)
In recent years DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs has been considering how to protect non-agricultural products.
Indication of origin might be a way not only to guarantee to consumers that given products have particular characteristics on account of their geographical origin and the quality and reputation associated with it, but also to protect producers from unfair competition and counterfeiting.
COM(2011)0287 and the subsequent external study, published in March 2013, highlighted the fact that the legal means employed at national level are not fit for purpose.
The Commission Green Paper (COM(2014)0469) put forward the idea of a single European product registration system along the lines of the system already used for agricultural products.
Parliament, moreover, has adopted a resolution on the same subject (P8_TA(2015)0331).
Bearing in mind that there are non-agricultural products in Europe which have a high value in cultural, historical, and commercial terms:
- —Will the Commission set up a GI register for EU non-agricultural products?
- —How will it protect historically, culturally, and economically valuable products of this type as far as free trade agreements are concerned?