A new Australian geographical indication right? Have your say

Around the world, geographical indications (GIs) are applied to a wide range of goods, from cheese and meats to wines, silk and pottery. GIs assure consumers they are purchasing a specific good with attributable qualities or characteristics.

The Australian Government is securing improved access to the European Union market for Australian producers and investors under a comprehensive and ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Negotiations started in June 2018.

To secure our interests in the FTA, the Government is engaging with the EU on its GI interests.

As part of this process, the Government is seeking industry, business and community views on key policy considerations to inform the possible development of a new Australian GI right.

The Government has made no commitment to protect specific EU GIs and has made clear it would only consider doing so if the overall FTA deal was good enough for Australia. This includes by delivering on Australia’s agricultural market access interests. Nothing in this consultation means the Australian Government has agreed, or will agree, to make any changes to its existing GI regulatory framework or policy.

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