Our recent blog on the BASMATI dispute mentioned a growing awareness of Geographical Indications (GIs) owing to UK / EU negotiations surrounding Brexit.

That awareness will certainly be increasing, particularly amongst consumers in the UK, with the formal launch of the Government’s own scheme for protecting geographical names of food, drink and agricultural products in the UK.

The logos are now available (see here / link below) and can be used from 1st January 2021.

All UK-based geographical indications (GIs) registered under the EU system at the end of the Brexit transition period will be protected under the new UK scheme.

The UK schemes will be open to producers from the UK and other countries and will protect the geographical names of:

  • food, drink and agricultural products (including beer, cider and perry)
  • spirit drinks
  • wine
  • aromatised wine

Producers or retailers of food and agricultural GI products for sale and produced in GB and registered before 1st January 2021, will have until 1st January 2024 to change packaging and marketing materials to display the new UK GI logos.

To protect a new product name in Northern Ireland producers will need to register it with the EU scheme.

Great British GI products that are protected in the EU can continue to use the EU logo in the UK, in addition to the UK logo, after the transition period.

For more information please contact boult@boult.com or your usual advisor. Our Brexit Toolkit can also be found here.