NZ to amend laws to allow GI registration of Indian goods beyond wines, spirits

New Zealand has made a binding commitment under its Free Trade Agreement FTA with India to amend its laws within 18 months of the pact coming into force to enable the geographical indication GI registration of Indian goods other than wines and spirits news agency PTI reportedAt present New Zealandrsquos GI framework permits registration only for Indiarsquos wines and spirits Under the FTA the island nation will extend this benefit to ldquoother goodsrdquo as well a concession it had earlier granted to the European UnionGI is a form of intellectual property right applying to agricultural natural or manufactured productsmdashsuch as handicrafts and industrial goodsmdashthat originate from a specific geographical regionThe tag assures quality and distinctiveness linked to the place of origin and provides legal protection against unauthorised use while also helping promote exportsldquoCommitment is now in place to taking all steps necessary including amendment of its law to facilitate the registration of Indiarsquos wines spirits and lsquoother goodsrsquohellip Timelines for this are 18 months from agreement entering into forcerdquo the commerce ministry said according to PTIIndia and New Zealand on Monday announced the conclusion of FTA negotiations The agreement is expected to be implemented after signing a process that may take about seven to eight monthsIndian products with GI tags include Basmati rice Darjeeling tea Chanderi fabric Mysore silk Kullu shawl Kangra tea Thanjavur paintings Allahabad Surkha Farrukhabad prints Lucknow Zardozi and Kashmir walnut wood carvingGanesh Hingmire founder and chairman of Great Mission Group Society GMGS said the move would help boost exports of GI productsldquoGetting a GI tag for nonagri goods will help increase the income of our people alsordquo he told PTIIndia links duty concessions on NZ apples kiwifruit honey to agri action plans under FTAIndia has linked quotabased duty concessions granted to New Zealand for apples kiwifruit and Manuka honey to the delivery of agriculture productivity action plans committed by the island nation under the FTAThe implementation of these plans will be monitored by a Joint Agriculture Productivity Council JAPC According to the agreement the approach aims to balance market access with protection of sensitive domestic agricultural sectorsNew Zealand has agreed to focused action plans for kiwifruit apples and honey to improve productivity quality and sectoral capabilities in India Cooperation will include setting up centres of excellence improving planting material capacity building for growers technical support for orchard management postharvest practices supply chains and food safetyProjects aimed at premium apple cultivation and sustainable beekeeping practices are expected to enhance production and quality standards in IndiaWith PTI inputs