On 14 March 2016, at the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), was held the National Seminar “Protection of Geographical Indications”.

The event was organized by AGEPI in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry in France, the French National Institute for Origin and Quality (INAO), and the French Embassy. The seminar is part of the working mission in the field of geographical indications of French experts in Moldova, which runs from 14 to 16 March.

The purpose of the seminar was to familiarize national experts with the best European practices in the protection and promotion of geographical indications, increasing the level of knowledge of the geographical indications system and identification of practical ways of production, protection and promotion of high quality products.

French delegation included: Nicolas Perrin, agricultural counselor, Embassy of France, Arnaud Mottin and Valerie Keller – experts from the French National Institute for Origin and Quality (INAO).

From the Republic of Moldova at the event were present representatives of the competent authorities responsible for the approval of specifications, control bodies and producers’ associations: State Agency on Intellectual Property, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI), Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Regional Development and Construction, Agency for Consumer Protection, National Agency for Food Safety, Tourism Agency, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Scientific-Practical Institute of Horticulture and Food Technology, National Vine and Wine Office, viticultural and wine-making associations of the geographic regions CODRU, STEFAN VODA and VALUL LUI TRAIAN, Association of Divin Producers, National Association of Beekeeper, etc.

In the opening, AGEPI Director General, Octavian Apostol thanked French experts for the support they lend to Moldova to promote geographical indications system. Octavian Apostol said that Moldova has a normative basis modern and harmonized with European legislation on the protection of geographical indications and appellations of origin, but the competitive potential and multiple economic advantages of this system are not used properly. This seminar is a perfect opportunity to borrow and learn from French experts’ experience in the field of geographical indications, added AGEPI Director General.

In turn, Vasile Luca, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, said that the seminar is a real support for all institutions involved in this field and sharing experiences with colleagues from France will help improve and increase the speed of implementation of everything related to the production of products with geographical indications.

At the same time, Nicolas Perrin, agricultural counselor, Embassy of France, said that geographical indications system plays an important role in harnessing agricultural production and enables to grow farmers’ importance. French counselor appreciated the seminar as an effective platform for dialogue and exchange of experiences that will enable the identification of mechanisms necessary to promote and ensure the protection of geographical indications in Moldova.

The seminar began with two overviews of the geographical indications protection systems, in the Republic of Moldova, on the one hand and the European Union and France, on the other hand, held respectively by AGEPI Deputy Director General, Svetlana Munteanu, and Nicolas Perrin, agricultural counselor, Embassy of France. The participants were familiarized with the legal and institutional framework, strategies and policies related to the protection and promotion of geographical indications in the respective countries and at EU level.

Further Valerie Keller spoke about the approval of specifications presented at the INAO and interdepartmental collaboration between INAO and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and other responsible authorities from France and the EU. INAO expert also presented the main stages of the process of recognition and protection of geographical indications.

About the official control on compliance of products with geographical indication spoke Arnaud Mottin, INAO expert.

At the end of the seminar, participants appreciated the exchange of experience that took part and showed their open participation in other meetings of this kind.

In the next two days, the French experts will undertake working visits to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, National Center for Quality Checking of Alcoholic Production and Berry Producers Association “BACIFERA”.