Ref. Ares(2018)450886 - 25/01/2018
Ref. Ares(2019)4296704 - 05/07/2019
To:
CEBALLOS BARON Miguel (CAB-MALMSTROM); RUEDA CATRY Cristina (CAB-
HOGAN); MARTIN-PRAT Maria (TRADE); CLARKE John (AGRI); Art.4.1(b)
Art.4.1(b)
(TRADE);
Art.4.1(b)
(TRADE); Art.4.1(b)
(AGRI);
Art.4.1(b)
(AGRI);
(AGRI);
(TRADE);
Art.4.1(b)
Art.4.1(b)
Art.4.1(b)
(TRADE); Art.4.1(b)
(TRADE); Art.4.1(b)
(TRADE)
Subject:
Flash report - Meeting with Heineken on FTA GIs negotiations with Mexico, 25
January 2018
Flash report – Meeting with Heineken on FTA GIs negotiations with Mexico
Participants
Heineken:
Art.4.1(b)
Art.4.1(b)
COM: Miguel Ceballos (CAB Malmström), Cristina Rueda (CAB Hogan), Art.4.1(b)
(TRADE,
B3)
Heineken representatives explained their concerns regarding the envisaged incorporation of the
1997 Spirits Agreement with Mexico into the future modernised FTA.
Art.4.2(a)
Heineken’s use of Tequila in beer is currently being disputed on the grounds of Mexican laws in
the Netherlands and France by the Tequila Producers Association (Consejo Regulador del
Tequila – CRT), claiming that it is only permitted to produce and commercialise alcoholic drinks
in which either 25% or 50% of the alcohol originates from Tequila. This would in the case of
Heineken notably change the product category from beer into spirits.
There is an application via EU Regulations for the registration of Tequila as a GI in the EU.
The EU side took note while providing references to the overall context of the negotiations with
Mexico. In this regard, the EU explained its approach to the incorporation of old-generation
Wines and Spirit Agreements into comprehensive modernised FTAs and clarified EU practice in
enforcement by means of domestic regulations and how this is articulated in FTA relevant
provisions.
Art.4.1(b)
European Commission
DG TRADE
Unit B.3. Intellectual Property and Public Procurement
Art.4.1(b)
B-1049 Brussels/Belgium
Tel: +
E-Mail: Art.4.1(b)
@ec.europa.eu