BULGARIA HAS REQUESTED THE INCLUSION OF YOGHURT AND WHITE BRINED CHEESE AS PROTECTED PRODUCTS

Bulgaria has sent applications for the entry of "Bulgarian yoghurt" and "Bulgarian white brined cheese" as Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) in the European Register of Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications for Agricultural Products and Foods. They are submitted by the Bulgarian Traditional Dairy Products Association. During the national application processing procedure, a commission at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry reviewed all attached documents to the submitted application specifications. A number of work meetings were held with representatives of the association, in order to reflect the notes and comments of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and to refine the texts.

The European Commission is about to launch a procedure to examine the documentation. It should not exceed six months, and if the period is exceeded, the Commission shall state the reasons in writing. In addition to reviewing and sending comments and remarks by the EC for coverage to Bulgaria, both EU Member States and third countries will have the right to object to the procedure. In the absence of such, the names will be entered in the European Register.

The procedure provides better incomes for producers, according to the qualities of these products. By this registration, the products will achieve protection of the names, intellectual property rights in the EU and protection against misuse and imitation. The right to use the European quality marks on Bulgarian products aims to protect the interests of the manufacturer against unfair competition and other violations.

Products with protected geographical indications may also be included in agreements between the EU and third countries on mutual recognition, cooperation and protection in the field of geographical indications. This improves the competitiveness and access of Bulgarian products to new markets.

The registration of "Bulgarian yogurt" and "Bulgarian white brined cheese" will protect and strengthen the good reputation and high quality of these traditional Bulgarian dairy products.

At the moment, our country has entered the European Register of Protected Geographical Indications with "Gornooryahovski Sudzhuk" and "Bulgarian Rose Oil", as well as the five foods with traditional specific character - "Fillet Elena", "Lukanka Panagyurska", "Role Trapezitsa", "Kayserovan". neck of Thrace ”and“ Pastra beef. ”They are entered in the European Register of Foodstuffs with a traditional specific character.

Regarding wines, 54 Bulgarian wines are registered on an European level - 52 with Protected Designation of Origin and 2 with Protected Geographical Indication.