PRESS RELEASE
CAFIM and European Seal of Origin
Roughly 100,000 instruments are meanwhile to be found carrying the EEX European Seal of Origin and Quality. In addition to the press conference organized in conjunction with the Frankfurt Music Fair a symposium was held attended by almost fifty music industry representatives of numerous countries belonging to the European Union. On this occasion a selection of PR material was presented along with other information focusing on progress covered by the project. An application is shortly to be submitted to the European Commission for funding the scheme. Accordingly, information was aimed at greater public outreach extending beyond the activities of companies hitherto availing themselves of the seal of quality and origin.
At the regular meeting of delegates held in conjunction with the Frankfurt Music Fair, additional moves were discussed and resolved. Reporting focused in particular on the amazingly positive feedback received from the music retail trade worldwide. This hallmark of origin is encountering a great of respect from the USA as well as Asian countries especially in the light of mass exports from China and elsewhere bearing European-sounding names intended to create the impression to ultimate buyers of such merchandise satisfying traditional craftsmanship criteria or quality standards.
A resolution was also passed at the meeting. This is to be submitted to the acting President of the EU Council, Dr. Angela Merkel, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the European Union:
WE ARE WHOLEHEARTEDLY COMMITTED TO EUROPE AND MUSIC
Assembling in Frankfurt on the occasion of the annual Music Fair, this time marking the 50th anniversary of the European Union founded in Rome with Germany now assuming the Presidency of the EU Council, the European Music Industry Association CAFIM is issuing the following manifesto:
CAFIM expresses joy and satisfaction that peace and harmony have come to triumph over war and the displacement of peoples within Europe. It is now up to us to work towards promoting social and ecological unity in Europe.
Europe of today needs a powerful, uniform and efficient European patent law system to protect innovations that serve to make our musical instruments and craftsmanship sustainable.
Europe of today needs to be conscious of the origin of musical instruments in order to help us preserve professional know-how and traditions. It is only by implementing such expertise applied to the manufacture of musical instruments that traditional crafts can be upheld within and in support of Europe, backed by efficient standards of innovative progress.
Europe of today needs to establish a joint alliance aimed at combating Chinese product piracy.
We are proud to be Europeans and to live up to European musical heritage.
This brief manifesto is to be submitted to the German Federal Chancellor and acting President of the EU Council, Mrs. Angela Merkel.
Pictured: center: Zuzana Ceralova-Petrofova, President of the European Music Industries Confederation (CAFIM) and also President of the Czech Association Asociace Vyrobcu Hudebnich Nastroju (AVHN), left: Juan Grecos, Delegate of the Spanish Association Comusica, and right: Winfried Baumbach, Secretary General of the European Music Industries Confederation (CAFIM)