5326712490?profile=RESIZE_180x180Foods with names, which are linked directly or indirectly to a designated geographic origin are protected in law by a European based system of protected denomination of origin (PDO) and protected geographic indication (PGI). This study examines whether past protection of GIs through 11 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) has increased trade in them. The answer matters for trade policy, since the protection of at least some GIs has been a red line in EU FTA negotiations. The findings of this study show that that legal protection of GIs in FTAs does not significantly increase trade in them. Hence, the suggested policy implication is that the EU should focus on external promotion of its GIs rather than asking trading partners for stronger legal protection. 

5326802477?profile=RESIZE_180x180Read the full paper here

E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of FoodAuthenticity to add comments!

Join FoodAuthenticity

Comments

  • Although trade figures do not indicate an increase in protected trade in GIs as a result of FTAs, there may be other trade benefits not showing up in the trade figures. For example, the protection of GIs may be preventing the sale of them being undercut by cheaper imitations, and hence maintaining existing sales figures both in the EU and in third countries. So I am not sure the evidence is strong enough to reduce protection of GIs in FTAs.

This reply was deleted.