The head of the Intellectual Property Department will go to Europe in late May to counter EU nations' opposition to Thailand's geographical indication (GI) registration for Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Rong Hai.

Pajchima Tanasanti, director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, said representatives from related agencies such as the Rice Department, Foreign Trade Department and Thai Rice Exporters Association would be invited to join to help verify the country's claims.

Five EU nations _ France, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium _ have told the European Commission that Thailand should not be the only country allowed to register jasmine rice, or khao hom mali, as other countries can also grow it.

They suggest Thailand register only Thung Kula Rong Hai, but Thailand says the northeastern location name applies not only to rice, but includes other products as well. Thung Kula Rong Hai covers five provinces: Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket and Surin.

Moreover, khao hom mali is a Thai-language term, and the department has successfully registered it as a trademark in more than 50 countries.

GI is used to protect the names of products from specific areas, Champagne from France being a well-known example. The approval process for GI registration takes two years. Thailand submitted its application on Nov 21, 2008, but the five EU countries filed their opposition at the eleventh hour.

Mrs Pajchima said a letter dated March 14 from the EU required that Thailand explain and defend its stand to the five countries before September.

By late March, ambassadors from the five countries had met with their Thai counterpart to explain their stance.

So far, 35 applications have been submitted for GI registration and been endorsed in Thailand, 29 of which belong to Thai companies with the remainder foreign firms. Of the total, fruit represents eight registrations, handicrafts eight, rice seven, wine and liquor six, processed food three, coffee two and seafood one.

The government wants khao hom mali to be sold at a premium price with the GI designation displayed on the packaging. The rice must be packed at the site where it was cultivated and be traceable back to the field.

Last year, Thailand exported 153,233 tonnes of jasmine rice worth 5.15 billion baht to the 27 EU members.

It is the first country to apply for GI protection in the EU and the first applicant to encounter opposition.

Source: Bangkok Post