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WHAT DO PRODUCTS like Connemara Marble and Waterford Glass have in common with foodstuffs such as Connemara Hill Lamb or Waterford Blaa?
They are both Geographical Indications, or names linking a specific product with a specific origin.
What makes them different? Geographical Indications for foodstuffs are protected under a special European law, while geographical indications for non foodstuffs or industrial products are only protected under local Irish law.
The question of whether we should retain this distinction is not simply a legal one – it’s also about hard economics.
Cold, hard cash
Research shows that protection under EU rules is worth hard cash. A 2012 study for the European Commission examined the value of registration as a European GI in the foodstuffs sector. It found that GI-registered products had, on average, a premium rate of 2.23.
Put another way, EU-registered GIs sold at (on average) 2.23 times the price of comparable unregistered products.
Given that there are economic benefits in the food sector, should we not extend those benefits to the industrial sector? The argument advanced against this is that industrial production is different from food production, because industrial production can be moved anywhere whereas the qualities of foodstuffs – such as whiskey or cheese – are linked to the terrain and climate of the place of origin, and cannot be moved.
But this argument does not hold up.
People and tradition
For one thing, even in the food sector geographical indication is determined not so much by climate or terrain, but but the link to people and the traditional means by which those people make a product. Thus, the protection of Waterford Blaa is as much about protecting the traditional way of making Blaa in Waterford as about the terrain or climate in Waterford.
What is being protected is the reputation of a product traditionally made in Waterford.
Let’s take another example: Connemara marble is no less linked to the terrain than is Connemara Hill Lamb. The marble that is mined in Connemara is inherently linked to Connemara, not to any other geographical origin. It is essentially a terrain-based geographical indication.
The idea of geographical indications as applied to foodstuffs includes links between the product and the place of origin based on both reputation and terroir. The same can apply in relation to industrial products – although the likelihood is that, for many industrial products, the link will be primarily based on reputation. But that is also the case for foodstuffs, as illustrated by the Waterford Blaa example. And since both international and EU law recognise the importance of reputation, there seems no reason not to extend GI protection to industrial products.
The reputation of the community
Which brings us to the social aspect of geographical indications. The reputation linking a product to a place is often the result of the efforts of many people over long periods of time. In that sense, the reputation is a collective reputation belonging to the community in question – the community of workers, of investors, of consumers. GI laws allow that reputation to be captured and protected. GIs are not like trade marks owned by one individual or company – in fact, they are not owned at all in that sense. Rather, they are a legal recognition of a reputation that is worth protecting. Anyone who respects the traditions can use the name. It’s about community, not exclusivity.
Now, the question of whether to extend GI protection from foodstuffs to industrial products is on Brussels’ agenda. A study financed by the European Commission recommended extending GI protection, and now the Commission has opened a Public Consultation and invited interested parties to respond by Tuesday 28 October. The public is being invited to answer a series of questions on the issue.
If you want to ensure that Europe protects our manufacturing traditions and culture in exactly the same way it protects our agriculture and foodstuffs, take a moment to have your say here.
Based in Brussels, Irish lawyer Bernard O’Connor is a partner in the firm of NCTM O’Connor and is Visiting Professor at Bocconi University and the University of Milan. His areas of expertise include industrial and intellectual property law.
Blah blah blah. Some FFG talking head dribbling the usual non sense. More importantly, the opinion piece below on sex ed is closed for comments. Again, pushing the agenda of a tiny, childless minority on how and what our kids are taught in school. Pushing radical theories and accusing & painting anyone who disagree as far right etc. I urge all Journal users to look at the no of comments below each article before clicking. If its not open ro comments do what I do and don’t click in to read their far left opinion pieces. Ignore them.
@Journal Factchecker: what are the radical theories?
@brian madden: That there are more than 2 genders for a start. Straight out of the psuedo science that is “gender studies”
@Journal Factchecker: Exactly another Sunday and another pointless LGBT+- nonsense article rammed down our necks with the comments closed clearly trying to normalise teaching children the delusion that there’s no problem changing genders and identifying as something your not. This liberal rag and it’s authors seem hellbent on pushing this agenda as much as they can for some reason. Maybe the odd article on heterosexual relationships and traditional families would be beneficial to readers condidering it’s supposed to be the norm in our society.
You are constantly complaining that the journal is too far left for your beliefs. Yet you are in here day in and day out posting comments.
And to no surprise it’s the same author who looks likes he’s ran and hid from any masculinity his whole life.
@Journal Factchecker: @Journal Factchecker: Ah, will you ever give over!
Telling kids there might just be people that don’t fit your idea of how you see the world is hardly a bad thing.
It just might prevent some of our kids living lives of misery.
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: Yeeee, vut we migh also normalise mental illness. End up like the US & UK with 100+ genders and kids in school identifying as dogs. No thanks. Majority rules.
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: “How you see the world” Like the scientific fact that there’s only two genders? telling children otherwise is basically teaching them fiction and mythology.
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: it’s hardly his idea , one shared by a few . It’s the few who seem to think that they can rough-shot over reality and the majority view and use all the tools to remove dissent . Feelings shouldn’t have any bearing on fact and dangerous lunatic theories should not be given much respect or peddled to the youth
@Christy Dolan: Totally agree people seem to be disregarding science and reality in favour of not upsetting a very small portion of people who think identity is reality.
@Journal Factchecker: who’s a silly Billy, journal factchecker is silly Billy, hoorah
@Journal Factchecker: Yeah I saw that. An important enough topic to discuss amongst mature individuals. A tolerant society does not mean only accepting what we like and rejecting everything else. Our societal discourse these days is very much centred around divisiveness and the media love it as it generates tons of $$$€€€€.
@Journal Factchecker: Are you really trying to conflate claim these things are metal illnesses?
Really?
@: Telling children that there people come in all shapes and forms is somehow wrong to you?
Fiction and mythology?
When there are people of all these shapes and forms around us everyday?
It would seem you are the one trying to deny reality.
Trying to live a life of fiction.
And trying to impose that fiction on the rest of us.
Why do you have such a need to control others?
@Christy Dolan: And what exactly makes you think you hold the majority view?
I find most people believe in a sense of decency, and do not think they have any right to impose their views on others.
Why do you have such a need to control others?
If the Government can give 1.85 million to buy a bloody Painting during a Cost of Living Crisis then surely to God they can release funds to Co councils to Build Estates and not rely on private Building Firms to promise a few extra units in their Developments as a Token Gesture.
@robrot 64: I don’t think any party is suggesting county councils build houses themselves. Any public building of houses would involve contracting a private builder anyway
@robrot 64: 1.85 million won’t build too many estates . Neither would €10 million. Maybe look into why it’s not as easy as you claim
@Mick Duvanny: that fella at the kids hospital should be free soon soon or sooner
@Christy Dolan: but the €1billion under spend by FFG definitely would!!!
@M Bowe: why on earth would they spend all or even half of that in social housing ? The State , and the tax payers don’t owe you a house for next to nothing . Where’s the welfare payments and other infrastructure going to come from ? Or payments to support the next crisis like another Covid ?
@robrot 64: yes, because state sponsored building projects have always worked well in this country, what could possibly go wrong?!
Driving over one hour in county mayo yesterday from north to south… the amount of rural cottages vacant is astonishing..(even some bungalows from 60s and 70s). Town houses in ballina foxford ballyvary balla and claremorris vacant (100+ maybe) in these places alone…..this is replicated on the western seaboard…
Peoples expectations of houses are too great and reasonable money could make most of these habitable, and probably to a level that most people live in that built a house in the 70s and 80s..a c rated house is healthy and comfortable as long as you don’t go around in your boxers all day.. one bathroom is ok too
@hi from heaven: I noticed that myself. You will see that in a lot of places west of Athlone. The problem is the lack of jobs in the west. No point in borrowing money to renovate those homes when one can’t get a job in that area to service the loan.
@hi from heaven: Why the f would anyone buy a house in Mayo when there’s no reason to live there ? Where are the proper paying jobs ? Not everyone can or want to work at Coca Cola or be farmers .
@hi from heaven: one toilet house ? Too cold to walk around in boxers all day ? What an animal . Next you will be claiming that double glazing windows is too fancy for some people
@hi from heaven: Problem is the same wanting people to live in those places, are the same deluded plebs who cry when the words work from home are mentioned, so if you force people to move to remote areas, while not allowing remote working, punishing people for driving and having some of the worst access to public transport, then this is the reality of so many areas u mentioned being left empty. I know plenty who would love to leave the big cities and move to these places with their families, but its not that simple. Theres too many in this country who think things like remote working is a farce and demand everyone suffer like they do going into a job and having the nightmare of crappy traffic and over loaded public transport….we dont allow people have a breathing space on life at times if we cant attitude
@hi from heaven: how do you know they’re vacant? Did you knock on each door, have a look inside, examine the power bill? No you just counted the houses with no lights on or cars outside. Not very scientific.
100 years of FFG and media still accept utter tripe.
Shame on Journal for not calling out FFG for what they are and the legacy the hold.
@Davy: FF aren’t 100 years old and neither are FG . Tripe ? Try reading your own historic illiterate nonsense .
@Christy Dolan: Juggle the figures all you like Christy but FFG, however long they have been in power is too long and they,the figures dont lie ,have failed the people.We are more than an economy and for one of the richest countries in the world our services rank with the poorest.They own this…simpler as.
@Christy Dolan: The first government of the free state along with O” Duffy’s Blueshirts became FG a third political party was also involved. The fact they just put a name on themselves just united their political agenda. Political parties that made up FG were Irish conservatives who replaced British conservatives and have been that way to this day. FG is a party for big farmers and big business. They oppose the eviction ban , but are quit willing to give tax brakes to landlords…conveniently failing to mention it was Noonan that ran out the carpet for the vulture companies which was a massive cause of the housing crisis .Crumbling Health service, Homelessness, Housing crisis, A make it up as you go along refugee crisis, Scandal after scandal that is the legacy of FG.
@paulgurney: they’ve been in power because people voted for them, that’s democracy. Plus our services don’t rank with the poorest, far from it, eg we have the highest life expectancy in Europe, one of the best educated populations in Europe (not that you’d know by some of comments on this site), superb cancer care etc etc
@Peter Barnwallace: You just can’t bring yourself to comment on faults in our country, can you? No matter how bad something like housing is for example, you will refuse point blank to point at finger at it.
@David Corrigan: there is no dispute in that there was undelivery of housing by a series of FG ministers 2011 to 2020. That thankfully has changed
@Peter Barnwallace: Changed where? In Ireland? Since FF merged with FG you mean?
@paulgurney: I’m not the fool waffling about 100 years of two parties that did not exist 100 years ago . If people don’t have the education to get basics facts in order and can’t comment without parroting other morons that normally ignored , then don’t comment and expect not to be called out on the rubbish. . Furthermore , other parties like Labour , Clann na Poblachta , Progressive Democrats , Clann Talamah , Farmers Party , Green Parry , Democratic Left and countless of Independents made up governments with FF and FG. Shinners , both Provos and Republican and Sinn Fein workers party also existed but preferred to live in cloud cuckoo land sitting on the fence or refusing the recognise the State .
@paulgurney: you certainly as simple . There’s no end to the simplistic rubbish that you spout . You’d never dare talk like that in person before people. You’d be laughed out of it and told a few homes truths
@paulgurney: maybe if the idiots of this country who had no business taking out mortgages based int heir salary didn’t try playing keeping up with the Jones’s seeking to upgrade what was originally a council house for a bigger place , or turn their nose down to continuing to rent their place (a lot of waffler a became experts with “rent is dead money” ) they wouldn’t have defaulted on their loans when the global crash came ? The warnings were already sounding out by a few of the celeb economists of the time and people like George Lee circa 2004/05 yet people went made. Some even fancied themselves as speculators .
@Peter Barnwallace: they had other priorities in the first 4 years of the 1st term . They didn’t help to coax landlords of spare property to keep it open for renters , though , in their defence , they had to do something during Covid to protect tenants
@Donal Desmond: Fine Gael were formed in 1933. That’s less than 100 years ago. A lot of key CnaG people were gone by then . Cosgrave himself was done by 1944 . Fine Gael are a combination of CnaG , Farmers Party (Unionists , big ranchers and old IPP MEN) and the Blueshirts were dissolved in 1935, barely two years . O’Duffy never sat as a TD at that point and FG got rid of him of his extremists (not many ) in within 1 year of forming . Much of their publicly stated manifesto , wasn’t too far off FF actually , bar the lack of socialist tones . FG have not being on government for much of that last 100 years and when they have , they shared power with Labour , Democratic Left (ex Sinn Fein workers party ) and even Clann na Poblachta (anti Treaty IRA men who hated Dev) . Go back to school ffs
@Christy Dolan: I never started FG was 100 years old …What I did state …FG Irish conservatives that replaced British conservatives…FG are and always will be the party of big business and will put their interests before the interests of the citizens of this country.. Blueshirts are alive and well among FG.
another dynastic career politician who only appears at election time.don’t recall him or his father ever doing much in their political careers.
John telling the journal a campaign from the left was the reason he lost his seat is hilarious,a job delivered through nepotism and judged on abject failure..oireachtas golf event you attended during covid will be the reason you will struggle next time around
There could be so much more done to entince people to move to more remote areas where housing is available, but the problem with the likes of FFG and their supporters is they want their cake and eat it. They want people to overpay for housing so the developers get their share, they dont want people working remotely cos then all those shiny buildings their mates spent big money on and got tax breaks on are left empty. We are told every day we need to cut down on emissions and using cars etc yet anyone who mentions the words “remote working” are called lazy and how dare you not be forced to either commute for hours each day or move into an already crowded major city and overpay on rent or a mortgage. Things will never change in Ireland on issues like housing, health and other issues cos some people will always want something from it or wanting to make a profit from it or just cos we have too many selfish and stuck up me feinners who cant see the wood from the trees
@Tom Newell: remote working is hazardous to the economy and drives saving. That’s the main reason it’s looked down on. For example when I head into the office I sometimes might bring lunch, lots of times I won’t and il get a sandwich from a shop or cafe or something. I make my own coffee at home, I buy one when I’m in the office, etc etc. I spend no money days I work from home. I spend when I don’t. If I worked from home permanently, I’d save so much more. Savings are bad for the economy. So much business relies on footfall. THAT is the reason why they don’t want people working from home. Has nothing to do with wanting people in shiny buildings? That literally doesn’t even make sense but then again something needed to fit the rant I guess.
It’s by design. FG and their neoliberalism feeds the housing crisis. Reaching targets like the highest amount of children homeless. Individualism and personal greed is in FG’s genetics. If you’re naive enough to believe that this lot cares one iota about the poor then you’re a victim of gaslighting. Keep increasing the prices for some among us. We ‘homeowners’ mortgaged to the hilt think we are doing well with apparent increases in property value. Paradoxically we are not as all property prices rise together. Including future purchases. Myopia as encouraged by this lot ignores the fact that our children and our children’s children can no longer even afford an ‘affordable home’ as they laughingly label them. Our streets are full of people living in tents in all weathers. I’m alright Jack.
@: its not that they dont care about the poor, they hate them. Thats why u get young fine gaelers posting here demonising them all the time.
@bruce banner: Indeed they do hate them. Except these dregs of society as they see the poor (most people) are the slaves producing FG’s wealth. They forget we are voters. Not all sheep these days. A mate of mine is YFG. His father stereotypically a farmer. The young guy with a disability totally ignorant of how this lot have screwed his cohort. Though he’s individually alright as he’s been gifted private health insurance and intergenerational family wealth. He moans ironically about the insane rental prices nationwide. Especially Dublin where the nightlife is. Can’t see the wood for the trees.
FFG are doomed I tells you lol
@BL Music: Hopefully.
@BL Music: country is doomed if left nutters and Shinners get into Govt, say goodbye to investment, jobs and democracy.
@Peter Barnwallace: If SF get into power it will be by democratic means …you conveniently fail to mention the Billions taken from the Irish economy and the Billions yet to be repaid for the gangsterism of the banks and developers facilated by the same political parties that are again in power. Homelessness, Housing crisis, Crumbling Health service, A make it up as you go along refugee crisis Scandal after Scandal..and you sprout vote for the same parasites..Sweet Jesus.
@Peter Barnwallace: Tell us about the job loses please Stephen? Do you think companies will just upsticks the day after the election and leave in their droves? Do you really and truely believe that?
@Donal Desmond: 1930s Germany repeating itself
@Peter Barnwallace: Are you going to tell me all about the job loses you mentioned mate?
@David Corrigan: hilarious! You were on here the other week claiming that mass job losses were just around the corner. Pots and kettles spring to mind
@SYaxJ2Ts: I never said that. Why do you only reply to my comments? I have never seen you reply to anyone else on here.
I asked Stephen or Peter or whatever he calls himself to explain why companies would leave Ireland when SF are in government. I have seen that remark on numerous occasions and I am genuinely curious to understand it some more.
@David Corrigan: I reply to lots of comments. Currently on an article above about Poland. And you did say that re layoffs on an article about inflation. So I’m saying that you and Peter are as bad as each other, IE both wrong.
@SYaxJ2Ts: Here we go again. Making things up as usual.
I said that companies would let people go to keep costs down and increase the workload on whoever is left. It was a completely different scenario than what you are trying to setup here.
Peter claims that multinationals will leave Ireland when SF are in government. I want to understand why he/she thinks this.
@David Corrigan: reading your comment now – sept 19: wages won’t go up. Expect massive layoffs and increased pressure on workers who are not laid off. It’s there in black and white.
@SYaxJ2Ts: Yes, if it came to companies making a decision regarding mass raises v keeping capital spending down.
Jesus, sometimes I wonder if you can read at all or if you are doing this on purpose. I guess enough people on here see that you constantly struggle to understand basic topics.
@Peter Barnwallace: utter bs from you as usual.
@David Corrigan: you said “expect massive layoffs”. I said above that you said mass job losses were around the corner. Both statements amount to the same thing, so I really dont know why you’re arguing with me. Similar to Ukraine the other day – poster asked a question about Ukrainian refugees. You replied that were not allowed to ask valid questions like that, and then claimed that you weren’t talking about Ukrainians!! A farce.
@Peter Barnwallace: You mean under the FF/ Blueshirts?
@SYaxJ2Ts: I am certain now that you come on here just to follow up and TRY and discredit me.
1.) I said with the high rate of inflation companies would let go people instead of giving everyone raises. With that done, they would add more workload to whoever was left.
2.) Yes, there is a pattern of comments being closed when people discuss current social problems within the country. I never mentioned Ukraine and I have gone over that with you 10 or 11 times already. My post CLEARLY did not mention Ukraine but you kept insisting I did.
Farce is right mate. Clearly you struggling with something.
@David Corrigan: so on the Ukraine one, what question were you referring to when you replied “you’re not allowed to ask valid questions like that”? This is the 3rd that I have asked, and I am yet to receive an answer. On the layoffs one, you did say that the people left behind would have to pick up the slack, but you also said “expect massive layoffs” – you didn’t qualify it by saying that would only be the case in a certain scenario.
@SYaxJ2Ts: Your struggle continues …………………….
@David Corrigan: you just won’t answer that question. Says it all really
Don’t vote for landlords
@Ollie McGlinchey: SF owns the most properties
@Peter Barnwallace: Smart investors.
@Ollie McGlinchey: SF are the largest property owners and have the most amount of rental properties between them than any other party?
@David Corrigan: Really? Interesting you should say that because I remember you taking particular exception to FF and FG TDs being landlords?
The Journal is a voice for McEntee keeping her safe from the electorate opinion, the people who gave her the job in the first place
Why is a senator a spokesperson on anything?!?
@Shane C: They have to look busy.
More spin.
Election please.
Reality is ffg have had over 10 years to tackle the problem and in doing so spectacularly made it a lot worse and worse is yet to come as its constantly just kicked down the road and worsening but so what I suppose let the poor working class rot week to week, absolutely disgusting
Bill Badbody in the flesh.
I seem remember the commenter journal guy saying he absolutely loved Sinn Fein getting into power.Me too tho
There’s John back out saying his piece about housing and how good finna gael is for housing. Mmmm John was nor seen or heard here in Waterford when he was caught in cliften playing golf and having dinner. When us plebs where told to stay at home. Yes John disappeared. Thought he had emigrated. But we have all forgotten that now and John is back. But some have not forgotten John. And come next election people will be reminded.
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