EU and China set to conclude agreement to protect Geographical Indications

Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan is in Shanghai and Beijing this week to conclude EU-China talks on protection of specialty products recognised as Geographical Indication (GI). The bilateral agreement is set to protect 100 European Geographical Indications (GIs) in China and 100 Chinese GIs in the EU against imitations and usurpation, and as such result in reciprocal trade benefits and demand for high-quality products on both sides. A joint statement by the EU and China should be signed tomorrow to seal a process launched by the EU and China in 2006. China is the second destination for EU agri-food exports, reaching €12.8 billion and it is also the second destination of EU exports of products protected as Geographical Indications. While in China, Commissioner Hogan will also meet Mr Zhong Shan, Minister of Commerce, Mr Ni Yuefeng, Minister and Secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of the General Administration of Customs of China, Mr David Parker, Minister for Trade and Export Growth of New Zealand and Mr Simon Birmingham, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment of Australia. Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström will also be present in China and will participate with Commissioner Hogan in a ministerial-level meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) related to the WTO reform and preparation of the upcoming 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, as well as in the multilateral talks on the Investment Facilitation for Development.