Question for written answer E-003611/2021
to the Commission
Alessandra Moretti (S&D), Paolo De Castro (S&D), Giuliano Pisapia (S&D), Salvatore De Meo (PPE), Patrizia Toia (S&D), Nicola Danti (Renew), Irène Tolleret (Renew), Rosanna Conte (ID), Elisabetta Gualmini (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Jérémy Decerle (Renew), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Olivier Chastel (Renew), Pina Picierno (S&D), Pietro Bartolo (S&D), Daniela Rondinelli (NI), Tiziana Beghin (NI), Pietro Fiocchi (ECR), Dino Giarrusso (NI), Raffaele Stancanelli (ECR), Massimiliano Salini (PPE), Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (S&D), Eric Andrieu (S&D), Herbert Dorfmann (PPE), Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE)
Subject: Application for the protection of the term ‘prosěk’
Croatia recently submitted an application for the protection of the traditional term ‘prosěk’, in accordance with Article 113 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. ‘Prosěk’ is the Slovenian translation of ‘prosecco’, which is a protected designation of origin (PDO) under EU law.
However, Article 103(2)(b) of the same regulation states that PDOs ‘shall be protected against any misuse, imitation or evocation, even if [...] the protected name is translated.’
Moreover, if the Commission were to approve this application, it might send the dangerous message that the protection of PDOs and protected geographical indications (PGIs) in the EU can easily be circumvented via parallel schemes such as traditional terms, which would weaken the EU’s negotiating position in key bilateral negotiations.
1. In the light of the above, does the Commission intend to publish the application for the protection of the traditional term ‘prosěk’ in the wine sector in the Official Journal of the EU?
2. Since the Commission is responsible for ensuring that EU legislation is correctly applied by Member States, how do its competent departments intend to guarantee compliance with EU law regarding PGIs?