EU/Switzerland Agreement: protection of designations of origin and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs (amend. EC/Switzerland Agreement)

PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs, amending the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: first subparagraph of Article 207(4) thereof, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: the two parties, the European Union and the Swiss Confederation, aim to ensure the mutual recognition of protected designations of origin (PDOs) and protected geographical indications (PGIs) in order to improve the conditions of bilateral trade, to promote quality in the food chain and to retain the value of sustainable rural development.

The present proposal is the result of bilateral negotiations, conducted from October 2007 to December 2009. The agreement provides for the mutual protection of designations of origin and geographical indications protected by the respective Parties.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.