24. 7. 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 208/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Par- liament (3), ' Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Whereas the production, manufacture and distribution of agricultural products and foodstuffs play an important role in the Community economy ; Whereas, as part of the adjustment of the common agri- cultural policy the diversification of agricultural produc- tion should be encouraged so as to achieve a better balance between supply and demand on the markets; whereas the promotion of products having certain charac- teristics could be of considerable benefit to the rural economy, in particular to less-favoured or remote areas, by improving the incomes of farmers and by retaining the rural population in these areas; Whereas, moreover, it has been observed in recent years that consumers are tending to attach greater importance to the quality of foodstuffs rather than to quantity; whereas this quest for specific products generates a growing demand for agricultural products or foodstuffs with an identifiable geographical origin ; Whereas in view of the wide variety of products marketed and of the abundance of information concerning them () OJ No C 30, 6. 2. 1991, p. 9 and OJ No C 69, 18. 3. 1992, p. 15. () OJ No C 326, 16. 12. 1991, p. 3. () OJ No C 269, 14. 10. 1991, p, 62. provided, consumers must, in order to be able to make the best choice, be given clear and succinct information regarding the origin of the product; Whereas the labelling of agricultural products and food- stuffs is subject to the general rules laid down in Council Directive 79/112/EEC of 18 December 1978 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs (*); whereas, in view of their specific nature, additional special provisions should be adopted for agricultural products and foodstuffs from a specified geographical area ; Whereas the desire to protect agricultural products or foodstuffs which have an identifiable geographical origin has led certain Member States to introduce °‘registered designations of origin’; whereas these have proved successful with producers, who have secured higher incomes in return for a genuine effort to improve quality, and with consumers, who can purchase high quality products with guarantees as to the method of production and origin ; Whereas, however, there is diversity in the national prac- tices for implementing registered designations or origin and geographical indications; whereas a Community approach should be envisaged ; whereas a framework of Community rules on protection will permit the devel- opment of geographical indications and designations of origin since, by providing a more uniform approach, such a framework will ensure fair competition between the producers of products bearing such indications and enchance the credibility of the products in the consu- mers’ eyes ; Whereas the planned rules should take account of exis- ting Community legislation on wines and spirit drinks, which provide for a higher level of protection ; () OJ No L 33, 8. 2. 1979, p. 1. Last amended by Directive 91/ 72/EEC (O] No L 42, 15. 2. 1991, p. 27).