Donnerstag, 28.03.2024 15:32 Uhr

EU and China and the protection of geographical indication

Verantwortlicher Autor: Carlo Marino Rome, 27.10.2020, 18:56 Uhr
Nachricht/Bericht: +++ Wirtschaft und Finanzen +++ Bericht 6742x gelesen

Rome [ENA] The conclusion of the agreement, signed in September 2020, between the European Union and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on cooperation, and protection of geographical indications is the first significant bilateral trade agreement between the two economic regions. The EU-China Agreement on the protection of GIs is a positive step forward in the bilateral relationship and a good tool to promote and

protect the authenticity of high-quality products on the respective markets. People’s Republic of China is a market with high growth potential for European drinks and food. However, it is no secret that European companies are often in competition with Chinese companies that engage in dumping and unfair competition. The goal of the agreement is to bring about a higher level of protection against the counterfeiting and usurpation of EU products of high economic value, thereby ensuring that intellectual and industrial property rights are respected.

In 2019, China was the third largest destination for EU agri-food products worth €14.5 billion. It is also the second largest destination for EU exports of geographical indication products, accounting for 9% in value, including wines, spirit drinks, and agri-food products. In 2018 and 2019 however, 80% of seizures of counterfeit and pirated goods originated in People’s Republic of China, causing €60 billion loss to EU suppliers. The European Parliament should back the deal between the EU and China that would protect 200 European and Chinese products.

The EU’s agreement with People’s Republic of China will ensure that one hundred European products bearing Geographical Indications (GIs) such as Cava, Feta, Münchener Bier, Polska Wódka, Prosciutto di Parma and Queso Manchego will be protected against imitations and misuse of a product’s name. In exchange, one hundred Chinese products will enjoy the same type of protection in the European Union. Within four years, the agreement will be extended to include a further 175 European and Chinese products.

The agreement is primarily a confidence-booster and it is a call on People’s Republic of China to extend the constructive cooperation to the ongoing negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement, as well as into areas of conflict such as on industrial subsidies, state-owned enterprises, forced technology transfer, reciprocity in public procurement and overcapacity in steel, aluminium and high-tech. The European Parliament is set to vote on its consent to the agreement and the accompanying resolution at its first November session (11-12 November). With Parliament’s consent, the Council has to adopt the agreement so that it can enter into force at the beginning of 2021.

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