A reform that does not improve the system

The European Commission published on March 31 its legislative proposal for the revision of the system of Geographical Indications (GI) of the EU. According to oriGIn EU the proposal denotes "lack of ambition and coherence". The position of Federdoc is the same.

The proposed regulation provides some welcome elements for a better protection and more effective controls of GIs, in particular with regard to Internet domain names. However, the definition of the concepts of evocation and generic names could result in a limitation of the protection of GIs. Similarly, other provisions do not go in the right direction indicated recently by the reform of the Common Market Organization and Regulation 1151/2012.

First of all, we would have expected stronger proposals in support of the strategic role of GIs and more ambitious in the recognition of the functions and prerogatives of 'groups' (Consortia), which are at the heart of the EU system.

Furthermore, oriGIn EU regrets the complexity of the procedures that could result from the legislative proposal, given that the simplification of the system is one of its main priorities. While remaining responsible for decision-making on GI registrations, amendments and cancellations, the EC proposes to carry out the management of the system in collaboration with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), without explaining the powers and responsibilities given to it. This could lead to further delays in the process and the loss of centrality of the European Commission.

Finally, the proposal lacks a clear vision on the future of GIs. The European Commission is asking to be able to exercise several delegated powers, which would bypass the EU's two co-legislators, the European Parliament, and the Council, to decide on strategic issues such as sustainability at a later stage.

"In light of this, oriGIn EU intends to work with members of the European Parliament and Member States, as well as the European Commission, on an improved legislative proposal, which is crucial for the future of the sector. We need an ambitious European system for Geographical Indications so that producers can continue to work for the sustainable development of rural areas across the EU," said oriGIn EU President Charles Deparis.

"We expected something very different for the Geographical Indications Reform. The Commission has not fully grasped the will of the operators of the PDO PGI system, who in just a few years have helped create a quality food system recognized worldwide that is worth over 75 billion. We must work together at national and European level to radically change some legislative aspects of this proposal that is not going in the right direction. We have confidence in the MEPs and in particular in Paolo De Castro, who knows our sector well, but we also need all the support of the Regions and the Ministry of Agricultural Policies," said Cesare Baldrighi, President of oriGIn Italy.

"The European Commission simply wants a blank proxy to decide the future of GI policy, without the contribution of the two co-legislators, which is not democratically acceptable - comments Riccardo Ricci Curbastro, president of Federdoc. - The risk is the weakening of the link between GIs and rural development policy, because if approved as such the rules contained in the reform may jeopardize a system that since the 70s has proved to be instrumental for the enhancement of wine names and the development of many European regions and territories".