On the 11th June, in Brussels, the European Commission (Agriculture and Rural Development) announced that it has added the name, "Tomato La Cañada", to the list of 'protected geographical indications' (PGI), for Spain. Currently there are in excess of 1,000 items that are protected by EU legislation under the following criteria:

"•PDO- covers agricultural products and foodstuffs which are produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using recognised know-how.

•PGI- covers agricultural products and foodstuffs closely linked to the geographical area. At least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation takes place in the area.

•TSG- highlights traditional character, either in the composition or means of production (Agriculture and Rural Development)"

These EU schemes were introduced to encourage diverse agricultural production, protect product names from misuse and imitation and to help consumers by giving them information concerning the specific character of the products. Product registration is important as it allows the area of origin to exploit an item that otherwise could be made somewhere else such as using the name "Cornish Pasties" which was granted PGI status in March 2011. The scheme can also be important for the economy of a region as in the past registration has led to an increase in production and an associated increase in revenue.

In 2008 (the most recent figures available) the EU 27 had a total of 764 items registered of which Italy (165) has the most registered followed by France (156), Spain (110), Portugal (105), Greece (85), Germany (64). The countries with the least registrations are Cyprus, Finland, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, who only have one product registered followed by Sweden (2), Denmark (3), Ireland and Luxembourg (4), Belgium (5) the Netherlands (6) and the Czech Republic (10). By contrast Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Malta, Lithuania and Romania have no products registered. In 2008 the UK had 29 items registered in total (14 under PDO and 15 under PGI) in the categories of Cheeses (12), Fresh Meat (7), Fish, Molluscs & Crustaceans (3), Other from Annex I, spices, condiments, ciders & perries, teas, etc, (3), Beers (2) Fruits, vegetables. and cereals (1) and one under "Other products of animal origin.

Out of the 165 items that Italy has registered, 79% are consumed on the National market, 13% exported to countries within the EU and 8% for export outside the EU whereas in France the National market consumes 92% of the items only exporting 8% (1% outside the EU). The National market of the UK only consumes 65% of the registered products, exporting 25% to other EU countries and 7% to outside the EU. The country exporting the most is the Czech Republic which exports 73% of its registered products (34% Intra-EU and 23% Extra-EU) predominantly beers (3). By contrast Luxembourg doesn't export any of its 4 registered products.

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