Posted on 06/25/2002 8:29:51 AM PDT by dighton
A cheese cannot be called Parmesan just because it comes from Parma, the European Court of Justice has ruled.
An Italian cheese exporter had argued that the description “Parmesan” was not protected when the word was translated, and that Italian law which did protect it did not apply to cheese sold abroad.
But the European Court, which had been asked for a judgement by the Italian authorities, says once an EU country has registered a name, products that don’t comply with specifications for it cannot be sold under the name in any EU country.
Cheesemaker Nuova Castelli of Reggio nell’ Emilia, based near Parma, had been exporting a cheese labelled as ‘Parmesan’ even though it did not contain Parmigiano Reggiano, a protected name under EU law.
But the court has ruled that if this were allowed to continue, consumers might be misled and unfair conditions of competition be created in the market.
The ruling could have a bearing later in the week, as tomorrow the EU is putting a proposal foward to the World Trade Organisation council to have a global register in place by the end of 2003 to guarantee the origin of “high-quality” products.
Currently, producers have to register their geographical description in every country where they want to market it.
A second proposal would extend ‘enhanced protection’, which is already provided to alcoholic products, to other products deemed to be “just as deserving of such recognition”.
That could include Darjeeling tea from India, Jasmine rice from Thailand or art paper from China.
Copyright © 2002 Ananova Ltd
Figures they would make a big case about cheese...moose have a pretty clear docket.
FMCDH
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