Head of Unit B3 Geographical Indications, DG AGRI, European Commission, BE

Francis Fay is Head of the Unit responsible for geographical indications in DG Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission. Francis has 20 years’ experience of policy on geographical indications, agricultural standards and value-adding schemes, having been involved in more than one reform EU GI policy. He has worked on international agricultural trade having headed the unit for relations with African, the Caribbean and Pacific countries, and participating in the agricultural negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreements. Previously, Francis was desk officer responsible for agricultural trade negotiations with the US and Canada, notably on trade in wines and spirit drinks. He read law at Trinity College, Dublin (Ireland).