Press and Information Division
INFORMATION FOR THE PRESS No 14/02
14 February 2002
HEARING IN CASES C-469/00 and C-108/01
Case “Grana Padano” (469/00)
Ravil is a French company which imports, grates, packages and distributes,
in France, various kinds of cheese and mostly the “Grana Padano” with
the description “fresh grated grana padano”. In 1996, the Italian
company Biraghi and the French company Bellon Import brought an action against
Ravil before the French judge seeking a restraining order to stop it distributing
the product with the abovementioned description as well as an order to pay damages.
They based their action on an Italian law which subjects the use of the designation
of origin “grana padano” to the condition that the grating and packaging
operations take place in the area of production.
The Cour de Cassation française asked the Court of justice whether
a national provision that reserves the “Grana Padano” designation
of origin for cheese grated in the region of production, is compatible with
community law, in so far as such an obligation is not indispensable for preserving
specific characteristics which the product has acquired.
Case “Prosciutto di Parma” (C-108/01)
The Consortium is an association of producers of “Prosciutto di Parma”
which is based in Parma, Italy. Salumificio S. Rita SpA, based in Italy, is
a member of the Consortium and produces “Prosciutto di Parma”.
Asda Stores Ltd operates a chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom. It
sells in in its supermarkets pre-sliced ham described as being “Prosciutto
di Parma”. The ham is purchased from Hygrade Foods Ltd, which is also based
in the United Kingdom and which itself buys itfrom an Italian producer who is
a member of the Consortium. The ham is imported into the United Kingdom boned
but unsliced. It is sliced and hermetically sealed by Hygrade in packets of
five slices each.
The packets bear the following words: “ASDA-A taste of Italy-PARMA
HAM-Genuine Italian Parma Ham”. The back of the packets states,
“ PARMA HAM-All authentic Asda continental meats are made by traditional
methods to guarantee their authentic flavour and quality. Produced in Italy,
packed in the UK for Asda Stores Limited”.
In 1997, the Consortium complained to the Trading Standards Authorities in
the United Kingdom of breach of Community law concerning the protection of designations
of origin and of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs.
Following legal proceedings before the British courts, the Consortium and
Salumificio brought an appeal before the House of Lords. The House of Lords
is asking the Court of Justice to rule on questions concerning the interpretation
of Community law in this area.
The hearings will take place on Tuesday 19 February before the plenary
session of the Court of Justice of the European Communities.
Please return to us the attached form in order to obtain an accreditation.
|
Available in English, French and Italian For further information please contact Fionnuala Connolly: |
A PRESS ROOM WITH OFFICE EQUIPMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE
Please note the following;
* the use of mobile phones or other loud electronic devices is not permitted
during the hearing;
* the public is requested to remain quiet and seated throughout the hearing
or ceremony;
* photography and filming are authorised only at the very beginning of the
hearing (seating of the President and parties only);
* the use of flash or supplementary lighting systems is not permitted;
* if numerous photographers and cameramen are interested, a .pool. may be
arranged by the Press and Information Division;
* photographers and cameramen may not move around the hearing room in order
to take photographs or to film;
* press are asked to use the Thomas More entrance, Boulevard Konrad Adenauer.
| Name:
|
|
| Press Agency / Organisation:
|
|
| Contact number (Tel):
|
(Fax): |
| Number of persons: |
|
| Do you seek authorisation to
photograph? (Please delete as appropriate) Yes No |
|
| Do you seek authorisation to
film? (Please delete as appropriate) Yes No |
|
In principle, your application will be accepted, unless you are otherwise
informed by the Court.