Protecting basmati rice and Darjeeling tea

The European Union is today launching an initiative in a bid to improve the protection of geographical indications and will present the initiative to World Trade Organisation Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Council in Geneva on the 25-26 June. EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said: "This is an opportunity for the EU and developing countries to work hand-in-hand at the WTO in protecting their high-quality agricultural produce and cultural heritage, which we both attach so much importance to." The TRIPS Agreement already provides enhanced protection for wines and spirits belonging to particular regions of the world. The EU initiative is seeking protection for other products that merit recognition. The current proposal is to extend protection to agri-food products, but the EU is open to a future incorporation of other products, such as textiles. This would protect many traditional, high-quality products that are specific to certain regions of the world. Indian saris, Turkish carpets, Darjeeling tea (India), Jasmin rice (Thailand), Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (Italy), Jamon de Huelva (Spanish ham), art paper (China), and Limoges porcelain are just a few examples of the products that could eventually benefit from enhanced protection. Geographical indications, writes the EU, could also be used, in certain instances, for products that incorporate traditional knowledge, such as Indian neem. Countries that co-sponsored the EU initiative include: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Nigeria, Kenya, Cuba, Thailand, Bulgaria, Romania, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Moldova.

Protecting basmati rice and Darjeeling tea

EU launches bold WTO initiative to protect products with unique geographical indications, from Stilton cheese to Basmati riceProtecting basmati rice and Darjeeling tea.

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