FDBusiness.com

The European Union and Morocco have concluded negotiations on an agreement to mutually protect their Geographical Indications (GIs). Through this agreement Morocco and the EU will ensure high level protection for their respective GIs for food products. Also aimed at promoting and fostering trade relations in agricultural products and foodstuffs produced in Morocco and the European Union, the text of the agreement has been initialled at chief negotiator’s level.

Morocco is the first amongst the Southern neighbours of the EU to take this important step forward in promoting and protecting the quality of agricultural production. The objective of this agreement is to better protect consumers in terms of not being misled on the true origin and quality of the product.

The agreement is also a response to the willingness expressed by the EU Member States to promote the protection of Geographical Indications internationally and is a reflection of the converging views of the European Union and Morocco on matters related to quality policy, consumer protection and intellectual property.

The agreement should serve as a dynamic instrument that will lead to the improvement in the quality of the products traded between the European Union and Morocco. It will introduce a mechanism for updates and for regular consultations, which will help when it comes to integrating new products in the list of the Geographical Indications.

The Agreement will now be passed to Council and the European Parliament – and to the legislative authorities in Morocco – where it must be approved before its final entry into force.