Stone Federation is making the case to the European Commission for the protection of traditional stone names, such as Ancaster, Portland and Purbeck, in response to a public consultation on the extension of protection for the geographical identification of products. It would make it illegal in the EU to apply these names to man-made products or stones from outside the areas.

Stone Federation is encouraging others in the industry to add their voices to the call to protect the traditional names of stones by submitting comments at bit.ly/stone-names. Responses have to be received before 28 October.

The subject is being discussed in a Europe-wide context by Euro-Roc at its meeting during the Marmomacc exhibition in Verona (24-27 September). Stone Federation is being represented by consultant Peter Harrison and Albion Stone MD Michael Poultney, whose company is one of the few from Britain exhibiting at the Italian exhibition.

So far, geographical identification (GI) protection has only applied to agricultural products such as Champagne, Melton Mowbray pork pies, Parma Ham and Parmesan cheese. But the European Commission has published a Green Paper (a consultation document) on a possible extension of GI protection to non-agricultural products.

GI identifies goods as originating from a country, region or locality where a particular quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is linked to its geographical origin. Non-agricultural products do not currently enjoy unitary GI protection at EU level.

Michel Barnier, the European Commission Vice-President for Internal Market & Services, said at the publication of the Green Paper: “Extending EU-wide GI protection to such products might bring considerable potential benefits to SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises] and European regions.

“This could help preserve our unique and diverse heritage while making a significant contribution to European jobs and growth.”

Stone Federation is somewhat aggrieved that the EU has done little to publicise the Green Paper and has not officially informed or consulted trade organisations such as the Stone Federation or at least Euro-Roc. The Federation only found out about the Green Paper (published in July) in September through unofficial channels.

Jane Buxey, Stone Federation’s Chief Executive, says it is “ridiculous” that the Federation was not informed about the Green Paper and that she will complain to the British Government.

Albion’s Michael Poultney, who is part of the Federation’s Quarry Forum, says stone names should be protected in this way because it is confusing when traditional names of stones appear on imported stones or man-made products.

He said the only people who would not like the idea were those who had been tempted to deceive the customer. Read more about the proposals at bit.ly/GI-stones.