Joint report: Sixth meeting of the Committee on Geographical Indications
December 17, 2025 (by videoconference)
Report
The sixth meeting of the CETA Committee on Geographical Indications (GIs) took place on 17 December 2025 via videoconference. Canada and the EU engaged in an in-depth discussion of issues related to the CETA provisions on GIs for agricultural products and foods, as well as other issues related to GIs.
Enforcement
The EU underscored the importance of effective administrative enforcement of GIs in Canada and expressed concerns about previous GI-related labelling complaints submitted to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), as discussed in earlier meetings. The EU noted a lack of administrative enforcement, citing complaints received from GI holders from France and Italy and pointing out the frustration among EU GI holders due to several claims of incorrect GI use.
Canada noted that the EU referenced, among others, complaints that had already been addressed in previous meetings of the committee. Canada reiterated that CFIA’s enforcement mandate is directed at addressing complaints concerning origin labelling and does not include the assessment of alleged infringement of GI rights, which is consistent with CETA obligations. The existence of a GI on a label is one factor that the CFIA will weigh in concert with all other elements on the label to determine if it is misleading about origin. CFIA conducts a comprehensive label assessment in line with Canada's longstanding labelling regime. With respect to the GI as an intellectual property right, Canada emphasized that it is the responsibility of rights holders to initiate private actions, such as sending letters, to address such complaints.
Canada took note of the labelling issues raised by the EU while reaffirming that CETA requires Canada to maintain avenues for enforcement but does not prescribe specific results in individual cases.
Protection of GIs in the EU
The EU and Canada discussed cases concerning the protection of GIs in the EU. Canada raised issues regarding the use of collective marks and consortium logos as presented in the Salva Cremasco case, questioning if identical signs could serve both as Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) and collective marks, and sought clarity on trademark and GI interpretations from the EU. The EU stated they could not provide detailed information as the matter is still pending before a national court, committing to share developments when available.
Canada also referred to the various “Dubai chocolate” proceedings and enquired whether the term could be protected as a GI since one German court appeared to consider it as such, while another issued a contradictory ruling deeming it a generic name. The EU explained that ongoing court rulings prevent further comments on this matter.
Grandfathered users
The EU continued to voice concerns from stakeholders regarding the grandfathering clause, especially focusing on outreach about Feta PDO. The EU reported that, despite efforts to engage operators in Canada through inquiry letters sent by the Greek diplomatic services, almost no responses were received from Canadian operators, which EU stakeholders found discouraging in terms of pursuing further follow‑up under their available enforcement options.
Canada acknowledged the update, highlighting that its previous engagement in Greece was intended to provide accurate information on how Canada’s GI regime functions, including the role of private enforcement and the limits of the grandfathering provision. Canada emphasized that enforcement of GI rights in Canada is a private‑rights matter and reiterated that lists of grandfathered users are not part of the CETA outcome and would not serve as a useful legal basis in enforcement actions.
Canada further clarified that its communications with stakeholders, including during outreach in Greece, were aimed at ensuring an accurate understanding of Canada’s regime and the legal tools available. Canada stressed that sending inquiry letters to operators should not be construed as implying that the name “feta” cannot be used in Canada where its continued use, before or after October 18, 2013, is explicitly permitted under the CETA grandfathering clause. Canada also pointed out that enquiry letters are an initial, cost-effective step, but not the only legal tool rightsholders could make use of.
Other Geographical Indications issues
Other GI related issues were discussed, that were not directly related to the obligations of CETA:
- The EU inquired if there were any other EU GIs pending protection in Canada. Canada indicated that the Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s (CIPO) requests upon receipt prevent providing information until the opposition period releases this information. However, they will inform the EU once it does.
- The EU updated Canada on the EU regulation for Craft and Industrial products and provided information on the EU Quality Schemes for mountain products & products of the EU’s outermost regions.
- The EU also updated the Committee on its negotiations and agreements including Indonesia, Australia, India, Chile and Mercosur, while Canada provided updates on its negotiations with India, the Canada-US-Mexico agreement (CUSMA), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Arab Emirates.
Next steps
Canada and the EU reaffirmed their shared commitment to continue to cooperate and to work together to achieve progress in a number of these areas.
Participants
European Union
Co-Chair: European Commission, Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development, Head of Unit: The Americas
European Commission, Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development
European Commission, Directorate General for Trade
European Commission, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
Canada
Co-Chair: Global Affairs Canada, Director, Intellectual Property, Digital Economy, and Innovation Division
Global Affairs Canada
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
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