News

Bulgaria files applications to the EC for registration of yoghurt and white brined cheese as protected products

Bulgaria has filed applications for entry of Bulgarian yoghurt and white brined cheese as Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) in the European Register of Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs. They are submitted by the Bulgarian Traditional Dairy Products Association. A commission at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has  reviewed all  attached documents  and application specifications during the national application processing procedure.

EU becomes member of treaty for better protection of geographical indications

Today the official documents for the European Union to become a member of the Geneva Act were deposited at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva. This is the last step for the EU to become a member of the Geneva Act, a multilateral treaty for the protection of geographical indications (GIs) managed by the WIPO.

Beehives in the EU continuously increasing

The European Commission publishes today its report on the implementation of national beekeeping programmes benefiting from €33 million annually from the EU budget. Analysing the way Member States implement the various support measures for beekeepers within the Common Agricultural Policy framework over the years 2013 to 2015, the report shows that the number of beehives is continuously increasing in the European Union. Member States reported in total 15.7 million hives which represents 12% more than the previous programming period (2011-13).

European Commission approves private storage aid for olive oil sector

Important stocks at EU level and consecutive good harvests have created an imbalance between supply and demand on the EU olive oil market, resulting in a price decrease. In view of this particularly difficult market situation, the European Commission adopted today private storage aid for virgin olive oils.

Landmark agreement will protect 100 European Geographical Indications in China

Today, the EU and China concluded the negotiations on a bilateral agreement to protect 100 European Geographical Indications (GI) in China and 100 Chinese GI in the EU against imitations and usurpation. This landmark agreement is expected to result in reciprocal trade benefits and demand for high-quality products on both sides.

Strong performance of EU agri-food exports continues in August 2019

The value of the EU’s agri-food exports in August 2019 reached €12.07 billion, marking a rise of 5.6% compared to August 2018. As the value of imports decreased by 0.2% to €9.14 billion, the agri-food trade surplus for August stood at €2.93 billion, a 29% increase in the positive trade balance compared to last year’s figures. These are some of the main findings of the monthly trade report for August 2019, published today by the European Commission.

Launch of the 2019 campaign to promote EU agri-food at home and abroad

The European Commission and the EU’s consumers, health, agriculture and food executive agency (CHAFEA) have approved 81 campaigns to promote EU agri-food products in and outside the EU for the next three years. The selected campaigns will benefit from an overall funding of €200 million from the EU agricultural budget.

European Union to join agreement enhancing protection of geographical indications

Following a positive vote in the European Parliament plenary session, the Council expressed its support today to allow the European Union to join the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement, a multilateral treaty for the protection of geographical indications managed by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).