Post

EU gets more GI protection

Chalk-up another one for the European Union and their Geographic Indicators (GIs).  The European Union and the Southern African Development Community have signed an economic partnership agreement that includes South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Angola and Mozambique.  Included in the agreement, the protection of products which the E.U. claims should only come from specific geographic regions in Europe.  The International Dairy Foods Association says the deal includes names such as feta, asiago, fortina and gorgonzola cheese.  As a result, the African countries could not buy those cheeses from the United States.

The Consortium for Common Food Names contends the names have become known to a specific cheese, not a specific region and argues it is U.S. cheese makers that have made them popular around the globe.  CCFN has expressed its objection in letters to South Africa’s Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published.


 

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe for our newsletter today and receive relevant news straight to your inbox!