Partners

  • AGRIDEA (Switzerland),
  • Association OriGIn (Belgium),
  • Ecole nationale des ingénieurs des techniques agricoles de Clermont-Ferrand (France),
  • Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA, Brazil),
  • Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI, Indonesia),
  • Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité (INAO, France),
  • Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA, France),
  • Réseau SinerGI,
  • Systèmes agroalimentaires localisés (SYAL),
  • Wageningen Agricultural University (Netherlands),
  • Universities of Florence and Parma (Italy),
  • University of Latvia (Latvia),
  • Universities of Newcastle and Edinburgh (United Kingdom),
  • Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil)

Further information

Kop P.V.D., Sautier D., Gerz A. (éd.), 2006. Origin-based products: Lessons for pro-poor market development. Amsterdam, KIT, Montpellier, CIRAD, KIT Bulletin n° 372, 104 p. [PDF]

Contact

Denis Sautier
Technical Change and Learning Processes in Agriculture (INNOVATION)

Geographical indications in emerging countries

06/2007

Antigua coffee from Guatemala, Peruvian mantecoso, Mamou pepper from Guinea, Karoo lamb from South Africa, Surin Hom Mali fragrant rice from Thailand, Darjeeling tea... referring to unique agricultural and agrifood products by the name of the place where they were harvested or manufactured is a long-standing custom in many parts of the world. Emerging countries are now aware that recognizing such reputations could help them maintain and promote their products and are thus setting up effective legal regulatory mechanisms. CIRAD is supporting several of these countries in this initiative.

Origin products have existed for centuries on every continent, but the geographical indication (GI) concept is quite recent. It was first transcribed into law in France in the early 20th century. In 1935, the French Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité (INAO) was assigned the responsibility of overseeing designations of origin (AOCs), which recognize the heritage value of certain agricultural and agrifood products. Various European and international agreements have been signed to protect them. In 1994, the World Trade Organization (WTO) recognized protected geographical indications as a fully-fledged intellectual property right, on the same level as patents and trademarks. Geographical indications, which designate products with a given quality, reputation or other characteristic essentially attributable to their area of origin, have become a key element in world trade discussions.

Emerging countries are beginning to adopt the geographical indication concept. In an increasingly open market setting, these countries are now aware that the GI label could help them promote their unique products better on domestic and export markets. Effective legal control mechanisms must therefore be set up, while identifying and selecting potential GI products. CIRAD signed an agreement with INAO in 2004 and is now supporting several countries in this initiative.

Geographical indication potential in South Africa and Brazil

In South Africa, no specific legislation has been passed to protect geographical indications. However, prompted by the realization that certain local resources are specific to these areas, a national debate began in 2004 on the advantages of developing the GI approach. Two projects coordinated by the University of Pretoria and CIRAD were launched in South Africa and Namibia. The aim is to study the potential of geographical indications for providing access to markets and promoting rural development, while also serving as a biodiversity conservation instrument. This initiative concerns several products: rooibos and honeybush infusion plants, Karoo lamb, Candeboo mohair, Kalahari melon seed oil and Karakul fur. Discussions between professional, institutional and research stakeholders were initiated through meetings and workshops. The rooibos tea issue is quite advanced, and a dossier has been compiled with a view to national and then European certification.

In Brazil, geographical indications have been recognized since 1996 under federal law, but GIs are just recently being promoted. CIRAD is supporting Brazilian partners in conducting research on conditions required for the development of this distinctive label and its role in protecting export products and promoting local commodity chains. Stakeholders have been exchanging their experiences. Specific studies were conducted to support producers in GI development or management for products like Vale dos Vinhedos and Urussanga wines, São Joaquim apples and Florianópolis oysters.

Geographical indications more recognized in Indonesia and India

In Indonesia, the most renowned regional products, such as Toraja coffee and white Muntok pepper, are regularly exported. However, traders in exporting countries often register the geographical names as trademarks without offering producers any financial benefits. The Indonesian government therefore decided to set up a legal framework to recognize these geographical indications and to launch a pilot project on coffee. A project on Kintamani arabica coffee from northern Bali is being coordinated by the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI) and local authorities in association with CIRAD and INAO. This has generated substantial stakeholder involvement in favour of the GI concept and the certification specifications have been drawn up. In this situation, growers and processors have worked together to draw up common regulations for production and for determining the boundaries of protected areas, which is clear evidence that geographical indications strengthen the rural development process.

India—an emerging country with a prominent role in international trade negotiations—is also implementing active policies to promote GI recognition. Under the adopted legal framework, agrifood products as well as certain textiles and handicrafts may be protected under geographical indication labels. CIRAD and its partners are interested in comparing the development of geographical indications in Southern Europe and in this country, which has an Anglo- Saxon legal tradition. They are also assessing new GI objectives, such as the protection of biodiversity and traditional skills and know-how. GI specifications could thus be designed to consolidate ancient environmentfriendly practices.

Finally, a comparative analysis with the situation in Europe and in several countries worldwide is being conducted to highlight the scientific basis for international recognition of geographical indications.