ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to give a befitting reply to India's claim of Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Basmati rice in the European Union (EU) and will file its opposition in the EU.
This was decided during a meeting chaired by Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor for Prime Minister on Commerce.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Commerce, Chairman, Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO-Pakistan), representatives of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) and the legal fraternity.
During the meeting, REAP representatives argued that Pakistan is a major grower and producer of Basmati Rice and India's claim for exclusivity is unjustified.
According to an official statement, Abdul Razak Dawood categorically stated that Pakistan would vehemently oppose India's application in the EU and restrain India from obtaining exclusive GI tag of Basmati Rice. He further supported the concerns of REAP and relevant stakeholders and ensured them that their claim for Basmati rice as GI would be protected.
India has applied for GI tag in EU for Basmati rice under Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs, mentioned in the EU official journal on September 11, 2020.
Indian application mentions Basmati rice as an Indian origin product, despite the fact that similar rice is widely produced in Pakistan. The application is based on half-truth and frivolous grounds having no legal and factual backing.
Pakistan exports 500,000 to 700,000 tons of Basmati rice to various countries with 200,000 to 250,000 tons shipped to European countries. The European Union is a major destination for local rice exporters and therefore it is a crucial issue for Pakistan.
Basmati is already recognized as a product of both India and Pakistan under the said European Regulation and its Duty-Free Regime, making it illegal for India to claim exclusive rights of Basmati in the EU.
According to EU's official journal, any country can oppose the application for registration of any item pursuant to Article 10 and Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs within three months from the date of publication.
EU has given three months' time to file objections on the Indian application. India has twisted facts.
Unconfirmed reports reveal that in addition to Basmati Rice, India has also claimed property rights of three more items like Multani mitti etc.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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