27
Feb
2024
Watch
Geographical Indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products (debate)
Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, I'm sorry. One very important message that should resonate with today's debate is that European food is food of the highest quality, that it is produced in a food safety system that is unattainable for other continents, and that geographically labelled products are first and foremost a guaranteed traditional speciality. Therefore, even our producers, Polish producers, often local, operating within the framework of modest family agribusiness, deserve better legal protection of their unique products, and at the same time to make the regulations regarding the registration of new products more friendly for them. It is therefore very important that the new rules are actively applied in the European Union's free trade agreements with third countries. I demand that the condition of recognition and effective protection of all geographical indications of the European Union with third countries be given priority when concluding such agreements. We cannot open our markets without guaranteeing that our unique cultural and gastronomic heritage is fully respected and protected. And another thing: the Regulation should now be complemented by a comprehensive strategy for the promotion of these special products on the common market and on external markets. Consumer awareness is growing in our societies and this is essential.