Producers selected to receive mentoring on GIs in MERCOSUR countries through AL-INVmentor

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), co-funding and implementing agency of the AL-INVEST Verde IPR project, financed by the European Commission, announced the selection of producer groups from Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay to receive specialised mentoring on geographical indications (GIs). The 6-month mentorship programme combines both face-to-face and virtual sessions to optimise the use of GIs as a way to differentiate agri-food products and foster local, regional and sustainable development.

The selection procedure, involving 53 producer groups from all three countries which responded to the call, was carried out in close collaboration with the institutional partners in each participating country. The mentoring programme in Argentina is organised in association with the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Ministry of Economy, in Brazil with the Brazilian Support Service for Micro and Small Enterprises (SEBRAE) and the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI) and in Paraguay with the National Directorate of Intellectual Property of Paraguay (DINAPI).

The selected producer groups receive mentoring for documenting their products’ protection or recognition with the appropriate national authorities, as well as products already registered or officially recognised.

Argentina:

• Té Argentino, (Argentine tea), represented by the Association for the Geographical Identification of Té Argentino in the province of Misiones and Northeast of Corrientes
• Miel de flores de Atamisqui - Santiago del Estero, (flower honey), represented by the GI Council for Miel de Flores de Atamisqui de Santiago del Estero in the province of Gran Chaco Americano
• Pimentón de los Valles Calchaquíes, (paprika powder), represented by the Secretariat of Agricultural Development of Salta and the Civil Association of the Council of the Designation of Origin of Pimentón del Valle Calchaquí in the province of Salta

Brazil:

• Açaí de Codajás, (açaí berries), represented by the Agricultural Cooperative Association of Codajás - COOPCOD, in the state of Amazonas
• Cocoa and its derivatives represented by the Association of Cocoa Producers and Chocolate Manufacturers in the State of Rondônia - CACAURON
• Coffees from the Vulcanian region of the Planalto de Poços de Caldas represented by the Association of Coffea Producers of the Vulcanian region of the Planalto de Poços de Caldas, in the State of Minas Gerais

Paraguay:

• Miel de Abeja de los Humedales de Ñeembucu, honey from the Ñeembucu wetlands, represented by the Association of Beekeepers in the province of Ñeembucu

The first face-to-face mentorship sessions will begin in August 2024 and will cover specific topics for each of the selected groups. These topics include developing unique product narratives, reviewing of product specifications and adapting to access requirements for key markets, such as the European Union. In addition, they will cover the new requirements of the EU Anti-Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) associated with the European Green Deal.

Through the effective use of GIs, producer groups in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay will be better equipped to access international markets, highlighting the quality, origin and authenticity of their products. This collaboration between the EUIPO, through AL-INVmentor, and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in Argentina, SEBRAE in Brazil and DINAPI in Paraguay emphasises the importance of international cooperation in fostering local sustainable development, contributing to more inclusive and resilient economies in the region.