A historic agreement was reached on 6.11.19 between the EU and China to ‘provide high protection from imitation and usurpation‘ on a reciprocal basis to 200 geographical indications on quality food products. An important milestone in a very wide-ranging cooperation.
EU-China, long-standing cooperation and broad prospects
EU-China cooperation on geographical indications was initiated in 2006 and reached a first milestone in 2012 with the mutual recognition of ten geographical indications from both sides.
The 6.11.19 understanding extends protection to 100 more European Geographical Indications (GIs) in the Chinese market, and as many Chinese GIs in the European Union. And it is celebrated as one of the most important trade agreements reached between China and the European Union in recent years, in a joint note from Chinese Minister Zhong Shan with Commissioner Phil Hogan. (1)
It is a great ‘step forward in the global recognition of geographical indications, allowing us to preserve the traditional way of producing these high-quality products, preserving our food heritage and contributing to rural economies, European and Chinese consumers, and societyat large.’
Another 350 geographical indications (175 on each side) will be recognized four years after the agreement enters into force, which is expected by the end of 2020. Following formal approval by the European Parliament and the Council.
Protected Geographical Indications
The list of 100 European GIs to which protection is extended in China includes a range of foods, wines, spirits and liqueurs. Among them the
Brandy de Jerez al Queso Manchego
(Spain), Greek Feta, various French wines, Champagne and Cognac. Münchener Bier and Bayerisches Bier (Germany), Irish Cream and Irish Whisky (Ireland), and Scotch Whisky (UK). (2)
Italy is the best represented country, with 26 out of a total of 100 European GIs protected. Quality wines, cheeses, and cured meats are in first place. Quality Italian products, in order:
– wines Asti, Barbaresco, Bardolino Superiore, Barolo, Brachetto d’Acqui, Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene-Prosecco, Dolcetto d’Alba, Franciacorta, Toscano/a, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano grappa, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Soave,
– Asiago, Gorgonzola, Grana Padano, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Taleggio cheeses ,
– processed meats, Prosciutto di Parma, Prosciutto di San Daniele, Bresaola della Valtellina.
The one hundred protected Chinese GIs include Pixian Dou Ban (Pixian bean paste), Anji Bai Cha (Anji white tea), Panjin Da Mi (Panjin rice) and Anqiu Da Jiang (Anqiu ginger), Fuzhou Jasmine Tea, several other teas, and Jinghe Goji Berry. (3)
China for Europe
China for Europe is the second largest agribusiness export destination, worth € 12.8 billion (September 2018-August 2019, +13.5 percent year-on-year). And it is also the second destination for exports of quality products recognized through IGs, which express 9 percent of the total export value to the Middle Empire. (4) With unparalleled growth potential in absolute terms due to the continued growth of the middle class, which is estimated to reach 550 million citizens by 2022.
‘The Chinese market., with a growing middle class that appreciates authentic, iconic, high-quality European products, has high growth potential for European beverages and food products, and also boasts its own well-established system of geographical indications, with specialties that through this agreement European consumers will now be able to explore further‘. (5)
China-Italy, eight centuries of friendship
The relationship between Italy and China is unique in the world in many ways. Franciscan John of Pian del Carpine was the first Westerner to meet the then Tatar emperor Guyuk, in 1246, and after many missions he stayed in Khambaliq (Peking) as long as he lived, in 1328. Venetian merchants Matteo and Niccolo Polo, welcomed by Khan Qubilai shortly after 1260, were asked to return with men of science to share culture even before goods.
Marco Polo, son of Nicholas, arrived 8 years later and stayed for 17 years at Qubilai’s court. Then in 1294 it was the Genoese merchant Pietro Lucalongo who accompanied John from Pian del Carpine on one of his many missions. Who in turn was asked to instruct the Tatars in Christian doctrine and was proclaimed, among other things, archbishop of Peking and patriarch for the East (in 1309-1310).
China and Italy thus share histories of civilizations and cultures thousands of years old, on the foundations of which a deep friendship has been woven. And it was the interest in cultural exchange that preceded the trade that gave rise to the Silk Road. Therefore, it is no coincidence that Italy was the first G7 country to sign an agreement with the People’s Republic of China on 8/31/19 under the ‘Belt and Road Initiative‘ (BRI).
China for Italy
‘The growth in the economic value of geographical indication production continues unstoppably for Italy, which boasts a world record with 822 PDO, PGI, TSG products registered at the European level out of 3,036 total in the world.’(Ismea-Qualivita Report 2018. See note 6)
Italian exports of PDO, PGI, DOC and DOCG excellence continue to grow (+4.7 percent in 2018) and now account for 21 percent of total agrifood exports, with a value of € 8.8 billion. (6) China for Italy may soon become the first destination market for quality products. And it is worth noting how cooperation is rooted in protection. Instead, leaving no room for imitation, as in the treaties concluded with Canada(CETA) and Japan(JEFTA).
Dario Dongo and Sabrina Bergamini
Notes
(2) List of protected European geographical indications.
(3) List of Chinese protected geographical indications
(4) Infographic on the EU-China agreement 6.11.19
(5) Press release of the European Commission, 06.11.2019
(6) Cf. Ismea-Qualivita Report 2018, PDO and PGI assets of 15.2 billion euros, up 2.6%
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.