Why we can continue to call our cheese feta, but fontina will be a no-go
The terms used in dozens of common goods will change under new rules in the recently inked Australia-European Union trade agreement.
A key factor of the free trade agreement was Europe's desire to restrict geographical indicators (GI), which show that certain products come from a specific location or have qualities or a reputation associated with their origin.
For example, champagne is a geographical indicator for sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region of France.
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The names used in dozens of common goods will change under new rules in the recently inked Australia-European Union trade agreement. Getty
Australia and the European Union, which together formally signed the trade agreement today, have agreed to protect 396 European geographical indicators and 396 Australian geographical indicators.
This means certain terms used in products will either be phased out or grandfathered in each respective region.
These changes will apply to dozens of dairy, meat, beer, wine and spirit products.
In Australia, terms like pecorino romano, prosecco feta, romano, bologna, finocchiona, and grappa will change.
Other terms like parmesan, pecorino, gouda, mozzarella, brie, camembert, prosciutto, mortadella, kansky, brandy, vodka, gin, and whisky will be preserved and still able to be used.
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Prosecco can still be used for domestic wine, but not exports. Getty Images/iStockphoto
The European geographical indicators are not widely used and are unlikely to have a significant commercial impact in Australia, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The federal government is working with affected industries to implement these changes.
Meanwhile, Australia will first need to develop a new system before its own geographical indicators can be protected domestically and in the European Union.
What terms will be phased out?
Nine terms will be phased out over a period of five to 10 years, including prosecco, pecorino romano, sherry vinegar, and ouzo.
Notably, however, producers can still use the term prosecco for domestic wine.
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What terms will be grandfathered?
Eleven terms will be grandfathered, including feta, romano, bologna, finocchiona and grappa.
Producers who have used these terms continuously and in good faith for at least five years will be allowed to continue using them.
All remaining producers will have to stop using the term.
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What are the exceptions?
There are some exceptions to the rules, including when a person's name, address or the name of a person's predecessor in business is used in trade.
For example, a person's name used on a label that is also protected as a geographical indicator can still be used.
The geographical indicator can also be used if the geographical indicator is a customary name of a plant variety, like Kalamata, or is the same as the common name for a good.
Percorino, for example, can still be used as it is a common name for a type of cheese within the geographical indicator Percorino Toscano.
The full list of European-protected geographical indicators can be found on Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's website here.
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