WORLD
Belgians submit Citizens' Initative to make 'frites' their own
Baku, April 2 (AZERTAC). Belgium’s attempt at registering the ubiquitous ‘frites’ as a traditional specialty protected under EU law received a boost today (1 April) when the ‘Brussels Frites Forum’ prepared to formally register a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) with over one million signatures.
The surprise petition came as the European Commission opened on April 1 for the registration of the first European Citizen’s Initiative, the EU’s first venture into participative democracy.
The European Citizens’ Initiative, as introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, allows citizens from at least seven EU member states to request new legislation once a million signatures have been collected asking the European Commission to do so.
With the one million signatures, the ‘Brussels Frites Forum’ hopes to gain exclusive right to sell fried potatoes under the names ‘frites’, ‘chips’ and ‘French fries’ as a traditional specialty with Protected Geographical Status (see Background).
The Belgian move would grant Brussels similar rights over chips enjoyed by other regions over famous foodstuffs – such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Camembert, Somerset Cider Brandy and Champagne.
Pierre Omdeterre, the director of the ‘Brussels Frites Forum’ said that the most difficult part of the campaign had been to assemble a committee of citizens from at least seven member states, as required under EU law.
One committee member from Hungary, who spoke to EurActiv on condition of anonymity, said he had joined the citizen’s initiative in return for official recognition by Belgium that Brussels sprouts originally came from Budapest. Another from Italy said he had traded his support in return for recognition that the Apfelstrudel originated from the Dolomites.
Omdeterre said a dossier compiled by the committee had amassed overwhelming scientific evidence that the Belgian product’s taste set it apart from other fried potatoes.