L 93/12 Official Journal of the European Union 31.3.2006 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006 of 20 March 2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 37 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Whereas: The production, manufacture and distribution of agri- cultural products and foodstuffs play an important role in the Community economy. The diversification of agricultural production should be encouraged so as to achieve a better balance between supply and demand on the markets. The promotion of products having certain characteristics can be of consi- derable benefit to the rural economy, particularly in less- favoured or remote areas, by improving the incomes of farmers and by retaining the rural population in these areas. A constantly increasing number of consumers attach greater importance to the quality of foodstuffs in their diet rather than to quantity. This quest for specific products generates a demand for agricultural products or foodstuffs with an identifiable geographical origin. In view of the wide variety of products marketed and the abundance of product information provided, the consumer should, in order to be able to make the best choices, be given clear and succinct information regarding the product origin. The labelling of agricultural products and foodstuffs is subject to the general rules laid down in Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of (") Not yet published in the Official Journal. the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs (3). In view of their specific nature, additional special provisions should be adopted for agricultural products and foodstuffs from a defined geographical area requiring producers to use the appropriate Community symbols or indications on packaging. The use of such symbols or indications should be made obligatory in the case of Community designations, on the one hand, to make this category of products and the guarantees attached to them better known to consumers and, on the other, to permit easier identification of these products on the market so as to facilitate checks. A reasonable length of time should be allowed for operators to adjust to this obligation. Provision should be made for a Community approach to designations of origin and geographical indications. A framework of Community rules on a system of protection permits the development of geographical indi- cations and designations of origin since, by providing a more uniform approach, such a framework ensures fair competition between the producers of products bearing such indications and enhances the credibility of the products in the consumer’s eyes. The rules provided for should apply without interfering with existing Community legislation on wines and spirit drinks. The scope of this Regulation should be limited to certain agricultural products and foodstuffs for which a link exists between product or foodstuff characteristics and geographical origin. However, its scope could be enlarged to encompass other agricultural products or foodstuffs. In the light of existing practices, two different types of geographical description should be defined, namely protected geographical indications and protected desig- nations of origin. An agricultural product or foodstuff bearing such a description should meet certain conditions set out in a specification. () OJ L 109, 6.5.2000, p. 29. Directive as last amended by Directive 2003/89/EC (O] L 308, 25.11.2003, p. 15).