Sugar and pepper get protection
Geographical indication status for Kampot pepper and Kampong Speu palm sugar has been accepted in Vietnam. The agreement gives legal protection to both products and stops unscrupulous traders in Vietnam passing off local produce as Cambodian. The deal was reached last Wednesday after negotiations involving the Ministry of Commerce with help from the French Development Agency and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Op Rady, director of intellectual property at the Commerce Ministry, said the new rules for Kampot pepper and Kampong Speu palm sugar came into effect on December 28 last year. Action would be taken in Vietnam if there was any infringement. He said that Cambodia also has a GI law and the ministry will implement it effectively. “The law will protect against any infringement of Cambodian GI products. It also says that Cambodia can list other crops to become GI products after detailed studies,” Mr. Rady said.
