Goodbye, Swiss Cheese

Hello "white cheese with lots of holes"...

"Canada, EU Discuss Geographic Indications

Negotiations among Canada and the European Union towards a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) are continuing. The EU has identified Geographic Indicators as a principal requirement in order for the agreement to proceed.

Geographical Indications (GIs) are defined as a type of intellectual property. The technical definition states that “they identify a good as originating in the territory of a particular country, or a region or locality in a country, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to the physical place of origin. In simple terms, GIs are the names given to traditional products produced according to traditional methods in a particular place.”

This means that once a Geographic Indicator is registered, similar to a patent or copy right, only the product manufactured in that geographic location can bear the name or Geographic Indication. A similar or identical product manufactured at a different geographical location cannot bear the name of the Geographic Indication. In order to further extend the protection of the GI, the use of comparative terms such as “style” associated with a Geographic Indication, such as Spanish style, would be prohibited as well as translations of all protected GIs (for instance, parmesan) and any graphics that depict an EU geographic location.

A complete list of more than 800 Geographic Indications for agriculture products, foodstuffs, and alcoholic beverage products currently registered in the EU can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/database/index_en.htm

The impact on food manufacturers and importers could be extensive. Many products in Canada have become known by names that would be prohibited under the proposed agreement. The immediate implementation of the GI prohibitions could also present a significant challenge to industry, who will have no time to alter their labeling, packaging and marketing materials."

 

Interesting.............

I see Darjeeling may be a problem also.

Shades of the "scourge" of nationalism within the "union" ?

 

It's the frackin French that started this, I'd wager.