The Benefits and Costs of Proliferation of Geographical Labelling for Developing Countries

Food product attributes related to geographical origins are a topical issue in global food trade. The provision of geographical labelling may occur through geographical indications under the mandated trade rules of the TRIPS Agreement, trademarks, or country-of-origin labelling. The overall effect of the expansion of geographical labelling on developing countries depends on a complex mix of market opportunities that may yield substantial benefits as well as implementation costs. Increasingly, the analysis of this overall effect will need to evaluate the joint impacts of different forms of geographical labelling on the market position of developing countries.developing countries, geographical labelling, international trade, TRIPS

The Benefits and Costs of Proliferation of Geographical Labeling for Developing Countries

Food product attributes related to geographical origins are a topical issue in global food trade. The provision of geographical labeling may occur through geographical indications under the mandated trade rules of the TRIPS Agreement, through trademarks, or through country-of-origin labeling. The overall effect of the expansion of geographical labeling on developing countries depends on a complex mix of market opportunities that may yield substantial benefits as well as implementation costs. Increasingly, the analysis of this overall effect will need to evaluate the joint impacts of different forms of geographical labeling on the market position of developing countries.developing countries, geographical labeling, international trade, TRIPS, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, International Relations/Trade,

Environmental Labeling, Protected Geographical Indications and the Interests of Developing Countries

Among developing countries, one can identify both proponents and opponents of extending the use of geographical indications (GIs) beyond wines and spirits. Such an extension is currently being discussed under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) of the World Trade Organization. While labeling is mostly based on private initiatives, GIs are considered to be long-term public rights. Proponents therefore regard GIs as the stronger tools for protecting their national property rights and offering them new opportunities to develop their export markets. Opponents, however, consider GIs to be new barriers to trade that impede their export opportunities. This article clarifies these positions and pulls together some evidence on costs and benefits related to GIs versus labels.developing countries, geographical indications, labeling, WTO, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, International Relations/Trade,

Can Foreign Producers Benefit from Geographical Indications under the New European Regulation?

This article discusses some economic issues linked to the 2006 European regulation regarding geographical indications. Economic implications of this regulation for foreign producers are investigated. The article examines whether or not the development of a geographical indication is a profitable strategy for foreign producers. The discussion here concludes that geographical indications may allow such producers access to a high-quality segment of the market, but efficient quality management is a necessary condition for reaching such a segment.geographical indications, regulation, quality, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, International Relations/Trade,

A Cost-Benefit Framework for the Assessment of Non-Tariff Measures in Agro-Food Trade

This report develops a conceptual framework for the assessment of costs and benefits associated with non-tariff measures that allows an evidence-based comparative assessment of alternative regulatory approaches. It was prepared by Frank van Tongeren (OECD Secretariat), John Beghin (Iowa State University), and St?phan Marette (INRA).

Selling Australia as 'Clean and Green'

'Green and clean' has been used as a key marketing tool to promote Australian products overseas. The rationale is that consumers are generally concerned about personal health and the environment and will choose, and pay price premiums, for products that are, or perceived to be, clean (good for them) and green (good for the environment) over alternative products. But is Australia seen as clean and green? Is it really why people buy Australian products? And how effective is it as a marketing tool? This paper attempts to answer some of these questions. The study found that Australia may have a clean green image at present in some of her overseas markets, but to maintain such an image over time, concrete proof of environmental and quality credentials need to be provided to satisfy increasingly more educated and better-informed consumers. Wide adoption of integrated EMS and QA systems by Australian producers and food companies appears to be a means to establish such credentials and substantiate any 'clean and green' claim. Therefore, government policies should focus more on developing a range of tools to encourage good environmental and quality management practices, rather than on promoting the 'clean and green' image. Such campaigns may be counter-productive in the long run as it leads to complacency, rather than raising environmental and quality awareness.export marketing, clean and green, EMS, QA, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Relations/Trade,

The move towards geographical indication protection within the rooibos industry : A case in point for harnessing geographical indication potential in South Africa

The paper aims to reflect on the impact of harnessing GI dynamics within the South African policy environment which provides protection for GIs under trade mark law by discussing the relevance for the Rooibos industry of geographical indication (GI) protection. It sets out by depicting the evolution of intellectual property strategies within the industry and analyses how this industry is moving towards GI to address the issues of name protection, quality management and biodiversity conservation. The paper highlights the legal options available to the Rooibos industry and steps that have been taken towards achieving protection nationally and internationally. Factors which have supported the industry in embracing the GI philosophy are discussed against the background of the success factors identified by Barjolle and Sylvander (2002). (Résumé d'auteur

Collective intellectual property rights for the development of creative tourist districts: an exploration

In this paper the institution of Collective Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR) is proposed as a regulatory tool for the development of Creative Tourist Districts based on local knowledge and trust, described as a superior organisational model of destinations to alternative models founded on individual property. As there are various types and contexts of applications of CIPR, as well as different development objectives to be achieved, the paper designs a strategy to maximise the expected impacts from case to case. It then proposes “area labels”, based on a combination of controls on quality and delimitation of areas of validity of the right, as the best instrument to foster a strategic orientation to quality across the local tourism industry.

Short Food Supply Chains and Local Food Systems in the EU. A State of Play of their Socio-Economic Characteristics.

The present study aims at describing the state-of-play of short food supply chains (SFSC) in the EU understood as being the chains in which foods involved are identified by, and traceable to a farmer and for which the number of intermediaries between farmer and consumer should be minimal or ideally nil. Several types of SFSCs can be identified, for example CSAs (Community-Supported Agriculture), on-farm sales, off-farm schemes (farmers markets, delivery schemes), collective sales in particular towards public institutions, being mostly local / proximity sales and in some cases distance sales. Such type of food chain has specific social impacts, economic impacts at regional and farm level as well as environmental impacts translating themselves into a clear interest of consumers. SFSCs are present throughout the EU, although there are some differences in the different MS in terms of dominating types of SFSCs. In general, they are dominantly small or micro-enterprises, composed of small-scale producers, often coupled to organic farming practices. Social values (quality products to consumers and direct contact with the producer) are the values usually highlighted by SFSCs before environmental or economic values. In terms of policy tools, there are pros and cons in developing a specific EU labelling scheme which could bring more recognition, clarity, protection and value added to SFSCs, while potential costs might be an obstacle. Anyhow, a possible labelling scheme should take into account the current different stages and situations of development of SFSCs in the EU and be flexible enough accommodate these differences. Other policy tools, in particular training and knowledge exchange in marketing and communication, are considered important and should continue to be funded by Rural Development programmes, as well as possibly other EU funds in view of the positive social and not specifically rural impacts.JRC.J.4 - Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom