A short history of the relationship between EU agricultural GIs and the Common Agricultural Policy: from the beginning to Regulation 2024/1143

This chapter analyses the evolution of the EU sui generis GI system for the protection of agricultural products and foodstuffs, specifically focusing on the interrelations between this area of Intellectual Property (IP) Law and the broader framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This chapter argues that understanding the nature and goals of the current EU regime, including those that have guided its recent comprehensive reform, requires considering the evolution of the CAP as a whole. Therefore, a broader vision is recommended to investigate the past, present, and potential future of EU GIs. Additionally, the chapter discusses the role that the reformed EU sui generis GI system should play within the context of the 'Farm to Fork Strategy' and the broader European Green Deal. Furthermore, it evaluates the new provisions of Regulation 2024/1143 that are specifically related to the key objective of enhancing the sustainability of the European system for the production of agricultural products, wines, and spirits. This includes a focus on the newly introduced rules that invite producers to incorporate mandatory sustainability standards in product specifications, as well as to produce optional 'sustainability reports'.