Ms Mary Blanchfield:

Craft geographical indicators in Europe are subject to different levels of protection, depending on the country of origin. Ireland, together with a number of other member states, does not have a specific legal framework providing GI protection for craft and industrial products. Producers have to rely on unfair competition or consumer deception laws combined with trademark protection to provide a degree of intellectual property, IP, protection. Key sectors in the Irish rural economy such as Donegal tweed and Connemara marble face significant challenges with the loss of intellectual property through counterfeiting and copying in export markets, which is undermining these iconic Irish brands and causing the gradual extinction of local skills. The new EU geographical indicators legislation will provide IP protection and EU recognition for a range of craft sectors such as Donegal tweed, Connemara marble, traditional Aran knitwear, Irish lace, hand-cut crystal, ceramics, and Irish jewellery and goldsmithing.

Irish craft and industrial producers can benefit from GI designation for a mix of economic and social reasons. Typically, these will include heritage and affinity with the region, protection of traditional skills and increasing market share through the protection and use of brand names providing quality assurance to consumers. Indirect spin-offs centre on intangible benefits associated with origin and competitive advantage by adding value and improving the international reputation of Irish craft producers. Craft and industry GI designations have a wider role to play in community development, supporting local employment in rural areas, adding credibility to local craft traditions and providing opportunities to add value to the local economy. The new EU craft and industrial geographical indicator, CIGI, scheme will strengthen craft producers, stakeholders and consumer loyalty about the local region and its products and help create a sense of pride about its craft producers and the important role they play in the local economy and in tourism developments. Many authentic craft and industrial GI products, such as Donegal tweed and Connemara marble, are partly or largely hand-made and part of the local heritage of the region, which creates a unique point of difference for consumers who want to know where products come from and how they are produced. Traditional craft products are better for the environment, and by supporting craft producers, consumers feel they are behaving in a more socially responsible manner engaging with local communities.

DCCI has been working on the ground with craft producers demonstrating the practical implications of the new legislation at local craft level. We provide an expert GI consultant - Mr. Muiris Kennedy, who is here with us today - to work with key craft sectors to assist in their preparation for GI registration. Donegal tweed and Connemara marble were selected as a pilot programme as the most likely to fit within the framework of new regulations. In conjunction with EU craft bodies from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Belgium, DCCI is a member of the World Craft Council Europe expert working group interacting with the European Commission's DG GROW division and the European Union Intellectual Property Office on the impact of the implementation process at producer level in member states.

A key objective will be getting craft stakeholder and producers buy-in and understanding about the new craft and industrial geographical indicator scheme and provide clarity as to how the new regulations will be implemented and how producers should apply. DCCI is working to provide a practical toolkit for craft producers on the advantages of the scheme and how to apply for registration. DCCI will be working closely with Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ensure the craft sector maximises the benefits of the new legislation, which will enhance the international recognition of many of our traditional craft products at home and in international markets.