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Madrid – The designations of origin of Spanish agri-food products show their reservations about the impact of the trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, which can vary greatly between productions.
The president of the Spanish Association of Designations of Origin (Origen España) and the Regulatory Council of the DOP Torta del Casar, Ángel Pacheco, has assured Efe that the pact will influence “in one way or another depending on each sector.”
“We have to be expectant to see what happens,” said Pacheco, after pointing out that, in the matter of Mercosur and other international treaties, the agricultural and livestock part “has always been seen as a bargaining chip.”
In his opinion, everything that is to protect brands of quality benefits the designations of origin (DOP), but he recalls that both these and the protected geographical indications (PGI) are based on agricultural production, which can be negatively affected in some cases.
More international protection
With the agreement, EU agri-food products will benefit from greater market access with the gradual reduction and elimination of tariffs, an opportunity for Spanish products such as olive oil, wine and spirits, and pork.
In addition, the protection of quality figures will be strengthened, as in the case of 59 Spanish foods and drinks recognized with these seals, including those of Jabugo, Baena, Ribera del Duero, Cariñena, and Brandy de Jerez.
For example, it will no longer be possible to sell imitation “manchego-style cheese” (except in Uruguay), but only the original product made in Spain, and for the first time European inspectors will be able to monitor such practices.
When the agreement, which has not yet been ratified, comes into force, the incorporation of new geographical indications of the EU will be allowed to be protected in Mercosur and vice versa.
The president of Origen España has highlighted that the international protection of DOP and IGP corresponds to the European Union, which is in charge of approving the definitive qualification of these brands.
For this reason, he has considered that the defense of these figures at the international level is “basic” in the face of conflicts that have already been generated with products that are protected in other parts of the world or are imitations.
“We need to continue working in the same direction. It is essential that this defense is made in favor of the interests of our quality brands,” many of which – nevertheless – are small and have little presence in international markets, pointed out Pacheco.
Concerns about imports
Beyond the protection of quality brands, Pacheco has drawn attention to the impact the agreement can have on their markets since, “although (the designations) are very specific productions, they must be expectant as to how the final negotiation process is going to develop until its ratification.”
He specified that, just as Spanish products will have fewer barriers to access the South American bloc’s market, many productions from Mercosur will be able to enter the European market, citing the competition of meats as an example.
“We also need to defend our producers and our processing industry, so we need to have all nuances clear before definitively assessing what may happen,” he emphasized.
Pacheco agreed with the demands of the primary sector, which calls for requiring the same production conditions that European products have for those that are imported, in order to avoid unfair competition. (December 26)
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