Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) organised the EU CIGI Capitals Tour: EU Protection System for Craft and Industrial products Conference in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and various EU stakeholders as part of EU’s CIGI Capitals Tour initiative with the objective of raising awareness with stakeholders in the new legislation around geographical indications for craft and industrial products among EU member states. The conference brought together Irish craft stakeholders and EU and Irish government departments to explore the intricasies of the new EU CIGI legislation which will provide the same level of intellectual property protection against counterfeiting and copying similar to the rules which apply in the agri-food sector.

Minister Peter Burke outlined the Irish government's support for the new CIGI scheme for a number of reasons including challenges facing the craft sector and the gradual extinction of craft skills and local employment. His department will be drafting the statutory instrument for legislation to incorporate the new regulations into Irish law as soon as practicable. Speakers from across the EU gave an overview of the EU Commissions structure for implementing CIGI Regulation and the role of the various divisions including DG Grow and EUIPO. James Kelly IPOI office outlined how the new regulation will be applied in Ireland.

Audrey Aubard - General Secretary of the French Federation of CIGIs gave us some very useful insight into how France provides protection for craft producers and how they will approach the new CIGI scheme in France: DR Andrea Zappalaglio had assembled the latest research on the opportunities and challenges for CIGI registration scheme for smaller member states like Ireland. Mary Blanchfield gave a run down on DCCI’s work with craft producers getting them prepared for this new CIGI legislation and organised into structured producer groups affiliated as members of DCCI’s Guilds, Associations, Networks and Societies (GANS) .

Bernard O’Connor SC and GI legal expert brought together Kieran Molloy of Molloy & Sons and the Donegal Tweed Association, Stephen Walsh of the Connemara Marble producers Association and Tony Hayes of the Irish Handmade Glass Company in Waterford to give their views on the potential and challenges for their sectors with the new CIGI scheme. Joe Burke from Bord Bia and Eoin Ó Catháin of the Irish Whiskey Association outlined Ireland’s experience of the EU Agri-food GI scheme with interesting case studies on Irish grass fed beef and Irish whiskey.

Master of Ceremonies Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP spoke about her interest in small business, Irish craft and the opportunities with the new CIGI legislation for craft and industrial product producers. She stressed that identification of origin has becoming increasingly important among consumers who want to know where their craft products come from and how they are made and further emphasised ways in which the new CIGI scheme would provide assurance to consumers.