Geographical indications: EU policy at home and abroad

The European Union (EU) has been the principal driver of policy on geographical indications (GIs). Classified as a form of “intellectual property”, GIs have been contentious, creating considerable difficulties in international trade negotiations. This paper reviews how GI policy for foodstuffs is implemented within the EU and the key features the EU seeks in its trade treaties. The limited data available on the operation of the EU GI scheme show that GIs cover only a small proportion of food output and an even smaller share of world trade. Despite this, the EU sees GI policy as a deal-breaker in international trade negotiations. The paper analyses the outcomes of recent EU trade treaties, with a particular focus on the agreement with Canada. Comparing EU demands and outcomes with the GI outcomes in the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) provides some insights that might be useful for the foreshadowed agreements between the EU and Australia and New Zealand. There are also implication for the planned Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

About the speaker

After a lengthy career in the Australian Public Service (Bureau of Industry Economics, Austrade, Department of Social Security, and the Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet), Dr Hazel Moir embarked on a second PhD (public policy) at the ANU. Concerned about the equity impacts of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, she commenced an empirical study of patents. This identified that the standard for a patent grant is low. Her recent work on low patent standards puts a value on the high costs such standards impose on Australian taxpayers through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Since joining the Centre for European Studies in September 2014, she has been immersed in European trade treaties and has also looked in depth into the issue of geographical indications. She holds a number of  degrees: PhDs in public policy (ANU) and demography (Brown); masters in human rights (Essex and Padua); and bachelors in economics (Cambridge). 

Registration required

http://hmoir.eventbrite.com.au   

Event's flyer available here.

Date & time

Tue 08 Nov 2016, 12am

Location

The Nye Hughes Room ANU Centre for European Studies Building 67C, 1 Liversidge St, ANU

Speakers

Associate Professor Hazel V J Moir ANU Centre for European Studies

Contacts

0261259896

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