The European Union has moved to exploit this week’s (Sep 10-13) World Trade Organisation summit in Cancun to press the protection of geographical names of traditionally made European drinks.


It has formally proposed that WTO member governments agree a global list of protected products and has identified 22 European lines for inclusion, such Bordeaux, Cognac, Sherry and Port, but not Scotch.


Such an idea has been discussed under stalled WTO negotiations over a register of wine and spirit designations, but Brussels wants this list written into another – much broader – trade deal, the WTO agreement on agriculture. This will enable the Commission to offer other market access rights in exchange for concessions on geographical name protection.