2019-06-25

Workshop addresses recognition of Brazilian Geographical Indications in the European Union

On June 24th and 25th , the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA), in partnership with the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), the Ministry of Economy and the Delegation of the European Union to Brazil (DELBRA), promoted a Workshop in Brasilia on the Recognition of Brazilian Geographical Indications (IG) in the European Union. The main purpose of the two-day event was to provide producers, technicians and public managers with information on the GI registration process in the European Union. This market may be a great opportunity for Brazilian products with registered GIs.

On Monday (24), an institutional panel brought together representatives of the European Union, the Sector Dialogues Facility, MAPA, the Ministry of Economy, the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI) and Sebrae.

Luís Araque de Juan, Counsellor of the Trade Section at DELBRA, stated that the GI project supported by the Dialogues was important both for the EU and Brazil.  "For Brazil, it is important to have technicians learn more about our GI system.  For us, it is important to share our experience and learn from each other." According to Araque de Juan," Brazil is a huge country, with good and diverse climate and soil conditions. It has a lot of potential to develop more GIs than it currently is and to make it known abroad.  That's why the project has been successful."

Sector Dialogues representative Noelia Barriuso agreed on the importance of the issue for both parties, Brazil and the EU, and said she was pleased to see the results of the project.  "I hope we keep moving forward."

Fernando Camargo, MAPA's Secretary of Innovation and Rural Development, stated that GIs are one of the priorities in his department. "I cannot think of anyone that would be against this discussion," Camargo said, announcing other measures that will be adopted to benefit Geographical Indications. The creation of an art-seal is one of them, allowing producers to sell their handmade products in any region of the country.

In turn, Marcelo Pereira, INPI's trademark coordinator, reported that the agency is working to streamline IG registration and is preparing to abolish paper, moving to a more electronic-based approach. According to Pereira, GI examination results within the Institute are now  given in 4 months as opposed to 1 year as it was before.  "By the end of this year, we expect to have finished an exclusive manual for Geographical Indications."

During the two-day workshop, several panels on Brazilian and European GIs were held. Hired by the Dialogues, Brazilian expert Liliana Locatelli addressed the Geographical Indication system in Brazil. Portuguese consultant Ana Soeiro, also hired by the Dialogues, presented the procedures for protecting third-country GIs in the European Union. The event also featured lectures on GI structure, control and traceability procedures.  One of the topics discussed was the GIs of São Matheus (yerba mate) and the Cerrado Mineiro Region (coffee).There was also a panel to discuss the promotion of Brazilian products abroad.

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