Food Labelling Hampers TTIP Talks

Discussions over food labelling are holding up talks in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership which aims to develop a free trade agreement between the US and EU.  Geographical Indicators (GIs) identify a product’s place of origin and the associated quality of the food, e.g. ParmaHam, Stilton Cheese or Champagne.  There are currently around 1,065 agricultural and foodstuff GIs within Europe, around 80% of which come from just 6 member states (Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Germany).  Florida Oranges and Washington State Apples are classified as GIs, although the US has far fewer in number.  The EU and US clash has come when GIs relate to ‘generic names’, a similar discussion was had with Canada where cheese producers are able to use the word parmesan but not the original Italian Parmigiano; a similar solution may be required for the TTIP talks to move forward.