Activities of Momchil NEKOV related to 2015/2053(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Possible extension of geographical indication protection of the EU to non-agricultural products (short presentation) BG
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the possible extension of geographical indication protection of the European Union to non-agricultural products
Amendments (20)
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the current discussions about a possible extension of the Geographical Indication (GI) protection of the European Union to non-agricultural products; considers that the EU is particularly rich in such authentic products based on local know-how and traditional production methods and often rooted in the cultural, social and historical heritage of a specific geographical area;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that non-agricultural products are an integral part of our identity and are an important element of the European cultural heritage as well as the cultural heritage of the Member states;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Emphasises the fact that the existence of a high number of non-agricultural products in Europe, based on traditional skills and handcrafts, represents an integral part of the regional and local culture and stimulates cultural tourism development;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Considers that a uniform GI protection for non-agricultural products would stimulate the technological and economic development at a regional and local level by increasing the number of people employed in producing traditional products;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Emphasises that one of the main challenges faced by the sector of cultural heritage is the gradual extinction of traditional skills and crafts;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that, currently, there is no uniform GI protection for non-agricultural products at EU level but several legal frameworks ensuring only national or regional protection. In this context, underlines the fact that the present legal frameworks may result in consumer deception and countless cases of counterfeiting; therefore, a uniform EU system could better inform consumers about the authenticity of products and, protect the rightful owners of a registered product and ensure the preservation of traditional handcrafts and skills;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines that a uniform GI protection would contribute not only toward promoting traditional products, but also toward the recognition of the quality of the raw materials it uses and the need for excellence at all stages of the production process;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Takes the view that extending the scope of the geographical indication protection system to cover non- agricultural products could help to make the EU’s position on GIs still stronger and more cogent, both in bilateral trade negotiations and in multilateral forums, the ultimate aim being to provide a high level of protection for all high-quality European products outside the EU;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Highlights that the promotion of local and regional traditional products is essential not only for the preservation of the European cultural heritage, but would also guarantee fair remuneration for producers and the widest possible availability of those products;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the economic potential of the GI system in terms of jobs creation, especially in rural or poor areas, and supporting SMEs and individual producers, who are central to the production of handicrafts and other traditional objects; moreover, GIs are a powerful tool for increasing the overall attractiveness and distinctiveness of a region, boosting the sales of a category of products and promoting tourismsustainable cultural tourism and cultural and creative activities in the area;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Considers that a uniform EU system could increase the attractiveness of the heritage-related professions;
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for such products to be made a central focus of regional development, research and innovation projects and of Horizon 2020 and cohesion funding;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the importance of the cultural and social components of the non- agricultural products that will be included in this process and stresses the need for preserving, passing on and increasing the knowledge of the traditional know-how and skills associated with them;
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Acknowledges the important role of highly skilled professionals in the production process of non-agricultural products for preserving and passing on traditional skills and handcrafts, which create our European identity;
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. In this regard, invites the Commission to encourage Member states to optimally use the available EU funding and programs for investment in vocational training of specialists, who participate in producing and promoting local and regional artisanal and industrial products;
Amendment 45 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Encourages the Member states to exchange good practices in creating and supporting initiatives aimed at stimulating the traditional artisanal sector, which could in turn increase the awareness for the local cultural heritage and stimulate the development of rural areas;
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Stresses the important role of the companies, often situated in regions with high unemployment rates, which invest in high-quality skills and know-how and offer traineeships and apprenticeships for the development and qualification of skilled professionals;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 e (new)
Paragraph 4 e (new)
4e. Highlights the fact that a well-known GI could play an important role in promoting the European cultural itineraries of the Council of Europe;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the importance of creating a future legal framework that guarantees that the link to the original geographical area remains a priority in order to increase the credibility and the authenticity of products, and that clearly specifies the conditions under which the denomination may be used outside the reference space;
Amendment 60 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to promote trans-regional and trans-national cooperation and pooling of best practice between non-agricultural product clusters and related sectors;