On September 14, the first significant bilateral agreement between the European Union and China was signed for the mutual recognition of food products protected as geographical indication (GI).
This agreement is of fundamental importance for economic and trade cooperation between the European Union and China.
The agreement will assure the protection of 100 Chinese products as GI, including for example Pixian Dou Ban (Pixian bean paste), Anji Bai Cha (Anji white tea), Panjin Da Mi (Panjin rice) and Anqiu Da Jiang (Anqiu Ginger ). The EU list of GIs to be protected in China includes products such as Cava, Champagne, Feta, Irish whiskey, Münchener Bier, Ouzo, Polska Wódka, Porto and Queso Manchego.
Among the 100 European geographical indications that will be protected in China, there are 26 Italian PDOs and PGIs including Prosciutto di Parma, San Daniele, Bresaola della Valtellina, Asiago, Soave, Gorgonzola, Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, Pecorino Romano, Taleggio, Chianti, Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino, Prosecco – Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Dolcetto d’Alba or Franciacorta.
The scope of protection of the agreement will expand to cover an additional 175 GI names from both sides within four years after its entry into force.
The Chinese market is a high-growth potential market for European food and drinks, due to a growing middle class with a taste for high-quality and genuine European products.
Therefore, the agreement reached will help to strengthen trade relations between the parties and will provide wider protection for european geographical indications in China, bringing important benefits to the agri-food sector, and benefits to consumers on both sides by guaranteeing the origin, quality and the authenticity of the product.
After approval by the European Parliament, the agreement will be officially adopted by the Council to enter into force at the beginning of 2021.
© THINX Srl – September, 2020