March 21, 2018

Australia's dairy sector fears Europe FTA could restrict use of product names

A free-trade agreement between Europe and Australia could create more difficulties for latter's dairy industry if producers' rights to use particular product names are not protected, the sector feared.

Australian dairy producers are expected to mount a defense of the use of generic food names like parmesan, feta and Greek yoghurt following Europe's confirmation that it will deal firmly with geographical indications when the negotiation of the FTA starts.

According to The Weekly Times, John Clarke, a top agriculture department official of the European Commission, warned that the FTA will not conclude unless GIs - names or branding used to state the place of origin of a product as well as to verify qualities or reputation connected with that location - are protected.

However, the system was employed without basis in the EU to cover more generic products, Peter Myers, Dairy Australia's international trade development manager, claimed. For instance, there is no region in Greece or Europe called feta, yet Greece has successfully listed it as a GI. The country is also understood to be seeking a GI for Greek yoghurt.

"There are producers here in Australia, large and small, that have been making products like haloumi and feta and parmesan for many years, and they've marketed that product and in a lot of cases, they've extended their reach into Asia," Myers said. "Our goal is to protect their rights to continue to be able to do that."

Australia's Federal Trade Minister Steven Ciobo said resolutions to the GI issue would be sought; however, the country cannot commit to outcomes before negotiations are even launched.

In the meantime, the Australian government would work with industry and interested stakeholders throughout negotiations, which could begin once the EU agreed on its mandate, Ciobo added.