# CE2004078EN.01074801.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/748 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/748

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(2004/C 78 E/0796)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2616/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 August 2003)

Subject:   Exclusion of feta cheese, ouzo and Kalamata olives from the list of products with geographical indications of origin to be negotiated at the WTO

Subject:

The Article 133 Committee has excluded the Greek products of feta cheese, ouzo and Kalamata olives from the list of products with geographical indications of origin to be negotiated at the WTO.

Given that this exclusion is tantamount to discrimination against vitally important Greek products that are recognised not only in Europe but throughout the world, will the Commission say:

| 1. | why the abovementioned Greek products, which have been recognised as being of protected geographical origin, have not been included in the list of such products to be discussed at Cancun, Mexico? |
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1.

why the abovementioned Greek products, which have been recognised as being of protected geographical origin, have not been included in the list of such products to be discussed at Cancun, Mexico?

| 2. | what provisions on the recognition of products with geographical indications of origin have been included in the agreement on agricultural trade between the EU and USA (13 August 2003)? |
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2.

what provisions on the recognition of products with geographical indications of origin have been included in the agreement on agricultural trade between the EU and USA (13 August 2003)?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(18 September 2003)

(18 September 2003)

| 1. | On 27 August 2003 the Council's Article 133 Committee endorsed the list of geographical indications which the European Union will soon be submitting to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the objective being to prevent misuse of these names at international level. The list contains 41 names, two of which are Greek — ‘feta’ and ‘ouzo’. |
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1.

On 27 August 2003 the Council's Article 133 Committee endorsed the list of geographical indications which the European Union will soon be submitting to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the objective being to prevent misuse of these names at international level. The list contains 41 names, two of which are Greek — ‘feta’ and ‘ouzo’.

| 2. | The European Union/United States document on agriculture refers to geographical indications as one of the subjects for discussion. The Commission will continue to pursue the objective of strengthening the protection of geographical indications in Cancun.
  In view of the different positions taken by the two sides, it is not possible to go any further at this stage. |
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2.

The European Union/United States document on agriculture refers to geographical indications as one of the subjects for discussion. The Commission will continue to pursue the objective of strengthening the protection of geographical indications in Cancun.

In view of the different positions taken by the two sides, it is not possible to go any further at this stage.

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