During the visit on 3rd November, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan participated in the Roundtable on Intellectual Property Rights, Geographic Indications and Food Safety, organised by EuroCham Vietnam. The event approached crucial topics regarding the food industry and production in Vietnam, covering practical discussions in two main sessions.

Session 1:  Geographical Indications and Intellectual property rights recognition 

The topics raised were Geographical Indications protection and enforcement, a key for consumer trust and GI product long term development and profitability and the recommendations for importance of public-private joint efforts; assessment on current status Vietnam’ legislation on protection of intellectual property rights and recommendations on  enforcement and registration of trademarks and patents protection as well as plans for geographical indications recognition for agriculture products under the EVFTA. 

Session 2: Food safety issues covering health protection, enforcement and traceability system, quality of labs and their testing results.

There were also debates on how to ensure appropriate understanding and responsive use of Crop protection products in food safety agenda. Some challenges, among the others, related to illegal products, counterfeits, and low quality products were analysed and given proposed solutions and activities by EuroCham Croplife Sector Committee.

This event gathered Ambassador-Head of Delegation, EU Delegation to Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Bruno Angelet and representatives from European Embassies such as Ambassador of Demark H.E. Ms. Charlotte Laursen, Ambassador of Romania H.E. Mr. Valeriu Arteni. Among the participants were also officials from key relevant Ministries (Ministry of Science and Technology, National Office of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Ministry of Industry and Trade) and delegates of main industry associations in Vietnam (such as the Vietnam Tea Association, Vietnam Pesticide Association and the Vietnam Private Sector Forum). The session also included the presence of related experts from the FAO and from the Hanoi National University, as well as representatives from EuroCham Sector Committees (including IPR, FAASC, Croplife and IPR Southeast Asia SME Helpdesk) and other EuroCham’s member companies.

Eurocham, together with its Sector Committees, will follow up further with Ministries and key stakeholders, in order to and continue working towards supporting the protection of GIs, trademarks, food quality and food safety in Vietnam and the EVFTA implementation accordingly. (photo)

On the following date, 4th November, the Commissioner and his delegation also met with EuroCham Chairman, Michael Behrens and Sector Committees representatives in Ho Chi Minh City (photo)

Photo album on Flicker https://flic.kr/s/aHskNe22Tw