China and France deepen cooperation for agricultural and food GIs protection

On June 1, 2024, China and France renewed their protocol for cooperation on agricultural and food geographical indications (GIs), strengthening their commitment to protecting and promoting their respective regional products. This renewed agreement aims to enhance the recognition and protection of GIs, which identify products as originating in a specific place and possessing qualities, reputation, or characteristics inherent to that location.

Below the key aspects of the Agreement

Enhanced Protection and Recognition of GIs

The protocol includes mutual recognition of each country’s GIs, ensuring that French GIs are protected in China and vice versa. This helps prevent misuse and counterfeiting of regional products.

The agreement provides a robust legal framework for enforcing GI protection, ensuring that both countries can take legal action against infringement effectively.

Promotion of Trade

By protecting GIs, the agreement facilitates easier market access for regional products in both countries. French wines, cheeses, and other agricultural products will find a more secure market in China, while Chinese tea, rice, and other goods will be better protected in France.

Enhanced GI protection is expected to boost trade and economic benefits for producers, providing them with a premium for their high-quality, region-specific products.

Cultural and Heritage Preservation

The protocol emphasizes the importance of GIs in preserving cultural heritage. By protecting GIs, both countries aim to maintain traditional methods of productionand the cultural significance associated with these products.

The agreement includes provisions for increasing consumer awareness about the importance of GIs and the value of authentic regional products.

Technical Cooperation and Capacity Building

The renewed protocol encourages the exchange of knowledge and best practices in GI protection and promotion. This includes training programs, workshops, and seminars for stakeholders in both countries.

The agreement supports capacity-building initiatives to help producers in both countries understand the importance of GIs and how to leverage them for economic benefit.

Background and Importance

Geographical indications are crucial for distinguishing products that have unique qualities and a strong link to their place of origin. They serve as a tool for rural development and help consumers identify genuine products. 

The cooperation between China and France on GIs dates back to 2006 when the first agreement was signed, and has been beneficial for both countries in terms of trade and cultural exchange.

Impact and Future Prospects

The renewed protocol is expected to have several positive outcomes:

Strengthened Bilateral Relations: This agreement underscores the strong trade and cultural ties between China and France, paving the way for future cooperation in other sectors.

Enhanced Product Value: Producers will benefit from increased product value and consumer trust due to the recognized authenticity and quality of their GIs.

Global Trade Influence: As China and France are significant players in the global market, their cooperation on GIs sets a precedent for international trade agreements, encouraging other countries to adopt similar protections.

In conclusion, the renewal of the protocol for cooperation on agricultural and food geographical indications between China and France marks a significant step in protecting and promoting regional products, benefiting both producers and consumers while preserving cultural heritage.