UK Geographical Indication to be set up in event of no deal Brexit

The UK will create its own World Trade Organization compliant Geographical Indication system if it leaves the EU with no deal.

Food producers in the EU can currently protect the names of their products under Geographical Indication (GI) regulations put in place by the EU.

These ensure that EU countries, including the UK, comply with the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and that UK GIs are protected from imitation and evocation throughout the EU.

There are currently 86 GI-protected UK product names, comprising 76 agricultural and food products, including Gloucester Old Spot sausage, Melton Mowbray pork pie and Scotch Beef.

In a series of technical notices published by the Government which explores scenarios the UK will be faced with if it leaves the EU with no deal, UK food producers will afforded similar protections, with all 86 UK GIs given new status automatically.

Details to be explored in a public consultation include the UK GI logo and appeals process.

The UK would no longer be required to recognise EU GI status, and EU producers would be able to apply for UK GI status.

After March 2019, irrespective of the outcome of EU negotiations, the Government expects UK GIs currently named in and protected by EU free trade agreements and other sectoral agreements will continue to be protected.