WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3612/98 by Luciano VECCHI Recognition of Protected Designation of Origin and (DOP) Geographical Indication of Origin (IGP) for balsamic vinegar
Date: 1998-12-03
Institutions: European Parliament, VECCHI
Subjects: European Commission, Italy, application of EU law, condiment, designation of origin, exchange of information, location of production, originating product, product quality













EUR-Lex - 91998E3612 - EN






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91998E3612

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3612/98 by Luciano VECCHI Recognition of Protected Designation of Origin and (DOP) Geographical Indication of Origin (IGP) for balsamic vinegar  


Official Journal C 320 , 06/11/1999 P. 0059 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3612/98by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission(3 December 1998)Subject: Recognition of Protected Designation of Origin and (DOP) Geographical Indication of Origin (IGP) for balsamic vinegarThe Commission is currently considering the request made by the competent Italian authorities in recent months for recognition of the DOP of traditional balsamic vinegar from Modena and balsamic vinegar from Reggio Emilia and the IGP of balsamic vinegar from Modena.Recognition is of vital importance for the protection and valorisation of quality products with unique characteristics.The Commission:1. What is it's reaction to the request?2. When does it intend to grant recognition of DOP and IGP?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission(21 December 1998)In January 1994, in accordance with Article 17 of Council Regulation (EEC) 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs(1), the Italian Government notified the Commission of the names either legally protected at national level or consecrated by use which it wished to have registered as protected designations of origin (PDOs) or protected geographical indications (PGIs).The names legally protected at national level included "aceto balsamico and aceto balsamico tradizionale di Modena e Reggio Emilia", whose registration as a PDO was requested. However, the specification initially sent to the Commission showed that there were three different products: "aceto balsamico tradizionale di Modena", "aceto balsamico tradizionale di Reggio Emilia" and "aceto balsamico di Modena". The Commission therefore embarked on a voluminous correspondence with the Italian Government on this subject, which resulted in 1998 in the Italian Government asking for the initial application for registration to be split into three separate applications, one for each of the products concerned.The Commission now has to decide on each of the three applications submitted, on the basis of the criteria set out in Regulation (EEC) 2081/92. It is fully aware of these products' importance, and of the fact that the promotion of products with certain characteristics can be of enormous benefit to rural areas. Provided the applications for registration meet the conditions laid down in Regulation (EEC) 2081/92, the names of these products will be proposed for registration in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Regulation.(1) OJ L 208, 24.7.1992.