The problem

‘Geographical indication’ (GI) labels and marks tell us where consumer products come from. GIs on foods are particularly valued by many consumers, who wish to know exactly where their food has been produced due to a wide range of safety, quality, environmental and even political concerns. GIs are regarded by The European agri-food industry as a major asset of the European model of agriculture. There is, however, no comprehensive data on the effects and true value of GIs. Evidence is needed to legitimise this field and to support Europe's position on GIs during international trade negotiations.

Overview:

SINER-GI will enhance our knowledge of the effectiveness of GIs and raise awareness of their scientific and legal status among practitioners, policy-makers and academics, providing support for Europe’s position in WTO negotiations.

The project will:

• Study the current use of GIs throughout the world, including their legal status, benefits and drawbacks
• Design and implement a common monitoring and assessment tool for analysing the effectiveness of GIs, using real examples
• Provide recommendations to policy makers on when and how the use of GIs should be supported

Contribution to policy development:

• SINER-GI will provide evidence to help policy-makers and lawyers defend and support Europe’s GI protection system.
• It will carry out an analysis of opportunities and risks in using GIs as policy instruments.
• It will help to strengthen the European negotiating position in WTO discussions.

Project deliverables

• Reports on legal, institutional, social and economic issues – April 2006
• GI worldwide on-line database – September 2006
• Theoretical model for monitoring and measuring the impact of GIs and evaluating the conditions of their success – January 2007
• In-depth analysis of case studies from selected countries both within and outside the EU – October 2007
• Policy recommendations and strategies – April 2008

Dissemination

• Project website with results and case studies – from July 2005
• International workshop – August 2006
• Regional workshops with food sector stakeholders and policymakers – October 2006
• Presentations at international science and policy events – as opportunities arise
• Contacts with professional bodies and government agencies – at regular intervals

Technical information

Project acronym: SINER-GI
Project’s official full title: Strengthening International Research on Geographical Indications: from research foundation to consistent policy
Research priority: The modernisation and sustainability of agriculture and forestry
CORDIS ref: http://cordis.europa.eu/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=proj.simpledocument&PJ_RCN=9438177&CFID=4000422&CFTOKEN=3c6aff1bead503d9-4310E498-C21A-AF42-571C4F57864035BF
Specific webpage: http://www.origin-food.org/2005/base.php?cat=20
Proposal/contract no: 006522
Start date: 1 May 2005
Kick off meeting: May 2005
Completion date: 30 April 2008

Coordinator:
Name: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
Abbreviated name: INRA
Address: Chemin de Borde Rouge – Auzeville – BP 27, 31326 Castanet Tolosan Cedex
Country: France
Tel: +33 5 61 28 52 67
Fax: +33 5 61 73 20 77
Website: http://www.inra.fr

Partners

Name: Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement
Abbreviated name: CIRAD
Country: France

Name: Università degli Studi di Firenze
Abbreviated name: DES-UNIFI
Country: Italy

Name: (Association Suisse pour le Conseil en Agriculture) Service Romand de Vulgarisation Agricole
Abbreviated name: ASCA-SRVA
Country: Switzerland

Name: University of Newcastle
Abbreviated name: UNEW
Country: United Kingdom

Name: University of Wageningen
Abbreviated name: WU
Country: Netherlands

Name: University of Latvia
Abbreviated name: LU
Country: Latvia

Name: Università degli Studi di Parma
Abbreviated name: UNIPR-DSE
Country: Italy

Name: École Nationale d’Ingénieurs des Travaux Agricoles de Clermont-Ferrand
Abbreviated name: ENITAC
Country: France

Name: Organisation for an International Geographical Indications Network
Abbreviated name: ORIGIN
Country: Belgium-Switzerland