A Workshop on Geographical Indications (GI) for milk and dairy product producers took place on 7 February 2025, at the headquarters of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI). The event was organized by AGEPI in cooperation with the National Association of Milk and Dairy Producers “LAPTE”, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI), the National Food Safety Agency (NFSA) and the State Inspectorate for Supervision of Non-Food Products and Consumer Protection (SISNFPCP) with the support of the Moldovan-Swiss Intellectual Property Project (MSIP).

The Director General of AGEPI, Eugeniu Rusu, opened the event with a welcoming message in which he emphasized the importance of geographical indications for the development of the agri-food sector and increasing the competitiveness of Moldovan products. He highlighted that the protection of geographical indications contributes not only to the recognition and differentiation of local products on foreign markets, but also to the consolidation of national identity and the economic development of rural regions. In this context, he mentioned the need for a solid legislative and institutional framework to support local producers in the process of registering and protecting products with geographical indications.

For her part, Carolina Linte, Executive Director of the National Association of Milk and Dairy Producers, welcomed the openness of state institutions towards local producers in the field, especially the support provided to prepare them to face the challenges generated by the process of reforming and harmonizing the national regulatory framework with the regulations and directives of the European Union.

The workshop was structured into several thematic sessions, during which participants discussed about the procedure for registering and recognizing geographical indications, the necessary steps and applicable legal requirements, as well as the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry in this process, the support provided to producers and the collaboration with relevant associations. Mechanisms for enforcement of rights in geographical indications were also analyzed, including the commitments assumed by the Republic of Moldova under international agreements. Another important topic was the quality control and traceability of dairy products protected by GIs, with an emphasis on inspection and verification procedures, as well as on the measures applicable in case of violation of rights in these products.

Interactive discussions allowed the exchange of experiences and opinions on best practices for promoting quality domestic products on the domestic market, as well as on third markets through the use of the geographical indications system.

The participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the provisions of international agreements concluded by the Republic of Moldova for the mutual recognition of geographical indications, which allows local producers of quality traditional products with GI to benefit from protection on third markets without having to take additional registration or homologation actions. It was also mentioned that the protection of foreign geographical indications ensures a climate of trust and mutual respect between trading partners, stimulating innovation and sustainable development of the agri-food sector, as well as the promotion of traditions and cultural identity.

The workshop was part of AGEPI’s ongoing efforts to support the agri-food sector through the promotion and protection of geographical indications. The Agency remains an active partner in enforcing intellectual property rights and in creating a favorable framework for the development of local products with added value, thus contributing to strengthening the position of the Republic of Moldova on the international market.

The Moldovan-Swiss Intellectual Property Project (MSIP) is funded by the Swiss Government through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of Switzerland and implemented by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), in close cooperation with the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI).

The overall objective of the project is the socio-economic development of the Republic of Moldova through a more efficient use of intellectual property rights (IPR) and by supporting the government in providing quality services in this area.

The project activities are focused on three key objectives:

• Legal Support and technical assistance around the Geographical Indications System;
• Enforcement of intellectual property rights;
• Commercialisation of intellectual property and support to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

The MSIP project was launched on 24 September 2024 and will be implemented over a period of 3 years, ending in December 2027.