From the report on the 12th round of TTIP negotiations, we are glad to see that a first substantial review has been conducted on the agricultural chapter, identifying key areas of convergence and divergence. In that context, the EU recalled its intention to include rules on spirits, building on the existing bilateral agreements and covering - inter alia - the protection of EU and US spirits names. We welcome the inclusion of a specific chapter on spirit drinks which reflects the joint proposal we had put forward with our US counterpart, DISCUS. The EU textual proposal also includes the setting up of a Trade Committee that will monitor the implementation of this chapter. This is a great improvement compared to the current situation.
There is an important chapter on protection of Geographical Indications (GIs), tabled by the EU including spirits to be integrated into the overall chapter on Agriculture. Back in 1994, the EU and the US concluded a bilateral agreement on the "mutual recognition of distilled spirits and spirit drinks". The agreement guarantees the protection of six EU spirits names (Scotch Whisky, Irish Whiskey/Irish Whisky, Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, Brandy de Jerez) and two U.S. spirits names Tennessee and Bourbon Whiskey. We welcome the initiative of the EU asking for the inclusion and expansion of the list of GIs inside of TTIP thus offering stable and predictable trade conditions through a comprehensive legal framework. A list of an additional 22 EU spirits names from 16 different countries have been laid down in Annex II as a result of discussion between the Member States and the Commission.
