In order to promote the national system of protection of geographical indications (GIs), appellations of origin (AO) and traditional specialties guaranteed (TSG), on 10 June 2014, AGEPI, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) organized a training seminar for agricultural producers in the field of vegetable growing and horticulture in different regions of our country.
The seminar was attended by representatives of the associations of producers, agricultural producers from Chisinau, Hancesti, Cimislia, Stefan Voda, Glodeni and AGEPI specialists, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) and the National Accreditation Center of the Republic of Moldova (MOLDAC).
The participants in the seminar benefited from a broad spectrum of information on legislation in the field, namely, the procedure for registration of GIs, AO and STG, the role of the inspection and certification bodies, the role of the groups of producers, the set of documents for obtaining protection of geographical indications, appellations of origin and traditional specialties guaranteed in the Republic of Moldova, the way to promote GIs, AO and STG and providing assistance on documentation drafting.
The seminar was opened by Mrs. Svetlana Munteanu, Deputy Director General of AGEPI, who welcomed the presence of producers in the seminar and stressed the importance of GI, AO and STG for promotion of quality products from the Republic of Moldova, protection of the heritage of traditional indigenous products. Mrs Sv. Munteanu said the following the entry into force on 1 April 2013 of the Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union on the Protection of Geographical Indications of Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs, the European market of quality products was also opened for producers of our country. Considering this, as well as the strategic importance of this area for the economic development of the country, the subject of promotion of domestic quality products with GIs, AO and STG was included on the agenda of the National Commission on Intellectual Property, which has called all state institutions with skills in the area to strengthen cooperation with producers to identify local GIs, AO and STG that can be promoted both in the country and abroad and provide necessary consultations and assistance.
In the seminar were presented two reports. Mr. Simion Levitchi, Director of Trademarks, Industrial Designs Department, AGEPI, spoke about the role of geographical indications and appellations of origin in promoting local products, presenting the basic principles of the system of protection of GIs, AO and STG, the importance and benefits of protection, economic benefits and their contribution to rural development, more equitable distribution of income throughout the production chain, etc. At the same time, Mr. S. Levitchi informed the participants about the national legislation in the reference field, presenting the Law No. 66-XVI of 27.03.2008 on the Protection of Geographical Indications, Appellations of Origin and Traditional Specialties Guaranteed. He also presented the European experience in the development of the system of protection of GIs, AO and STG, best practices to strengthen the institutional framework for implementation of the system, rules to be observed in order to produce a product with GI and AO, specified in a specification, voluntary commitment to comply with these rules.
Further, Mr. Iurie Senic, Head of the Origin Products and Ecologic Production Service, MAFI, informed the participants about the procedure for approval of the specifications of products with GIs, AO, STG and the ecological ones, the role and cooperation between the competent authorities in the field, requirements for obtaining protection, the official control system: checking the compliance with specifications, certification decision, further supervision, etc.
The event in question was a good opportunity for participants to enter into direct dialogue with the AGEPI experts and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, who have urged local producers to identify and protect local GIs, AO and STG, noting that our country has a rich potential of products with GIs, AO and STG. Mrs. Svetlana Munteanu, Deputy Director General of AGEPI, presented as an example Georgia, which, in a relatively short time, has managed to achieve good results in this area. Currently in Georgia are registered over 30 GIs and AO for various products. It is working hard to protect these Georgian geographical indications and appellations of origin in other states, including under the Lisbon Agreement. At the same time, Mrs. Svetlana Munteanu specified that in order to facilitate the efforts of producers with a view of starting the procedures for registration of GIs and AO, AGEPI will develop a model of specifications that will be posted on the AGEPI website.
The seminar allowed economic agents from the Republic of Moldova to better understand the benefits of the system of protection of geographical indications and appellations of origin, and the opportunities it offers in promoting local products both on domestic and foreign market. Participants stressed the importance of organizing information seminars in the field of intellectual property.
