EU protection for traditional products

Topoloveni plum jam, a typical Romanian product, currently enjoys the EU Protected Geographical Indication, while another three products (Ibănești cottage cheese, Sibiu sausage and Țara Bârsei smoked carp) are in the process of obtaining it. The EU also makes available to producers and producer organisations non-reimbursable funding to promote their products outside the EU.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 1404 traditional products currently enjoy EU protection, principally in Italy (296 products), France (243 products), Spain (205 products), Portugal (139 products), Greece (106 products) and Germany (96 products).

In what way can Commission help the makers of traditional products benefit from EU protection?

In what way can the Commission facilitate access to EU funding for the purposes of product promotion outside the EU?