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

PURPOSE: the conclusion of an agreement between the European Union and Switzerland 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.

BACKGROUND: the agreement between the European Community and Switzerland on trade in agricultural products entered into force on 1 June 2002. Article 12 of the Agricultural Agreement provides that the Agricultural Agreement may be reviewed at the request of either Party. A Joint Declaration on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin of agricultural products and foodstuffs has been attached to the Final Act of the Agricultural Agreement.

The Commission negotiated on behalf of the European Union, an agreement between the European Union and Switzerland concerning the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs that amended the Agricultural Agreement by adding Annex 12.

It is therefore appropriate now to conclude the agreement on behalf of the EU.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was undertaken.

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

CONTENT: with this proposal, the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland 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 is approved on behalf of the Union.

As regards matters relating to Annex 12 to the Agricultural Agreement and the Appendices thereto, specific provisions are laid down defining the procedure for deciding the Union's position on these matters.

The text of the agreement is attached to the proposed Decision.

For further information regarding the content of this agreement, please refer to the summary of the previous initial legislative document dated 09/11/2010.

BUDGETARY IMPACT: the proposal has no impact on the EU’s budget.