The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is seeking public comment on demands from the European Union (EU) that Australian producers cease using the geographic names of products that originated in Europe.
The Department is seeking objections to any or all of the 236 spirit names and 172 agricultural and other foodstuff names the Europeans want quarantined.
Known as Geographical Indications (GIs), the demands have arisen in negotiations for a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Australia and the EU.
In a statement, DFAT said the EU had identified the protection of GIs as one of its key objectives in the negotiations.
“A GI is essentially a name used on a product that has a specific geographical origin, and possesses qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin,” the Department said.
“Champagne is a well-known example of a GI. Once a GI is protected, the name may not be used except by producers who meet the rules protecting the GI.”
DFAT said that in order to move to the essential market access stage of the negotiations, Australia was publishing the list of product names the EU wanted Australia to protect as GIs.
“The Government has made no commitment to protect EU GIs,” it said.
“It has, however, committed to engage with the EU on its GIs interests as part of the FTA negotiations.”
As a result the Department has published the EU list of GIs for public objection and submissions will be accepted until 13 November.
The list of GIs can be accessed on the DFAT website at this PS News link.
