WineCountry.it: All you want to know about Italian wine: WineCountry.it Article

Food: WTO
Staff Writer - February 5, 2004

The skirmish between Europe and the rest of the world over the imitation of typical products continues.

According to Coldiretti (the Italian union representing the agriculturists), the defense from improper imitations must remain a priority for the European community.

"In order to guarantee loyal commercial competition, while protecting traditional products from international forgery, the fight against the "agro-piracy" is a fundamental transition within the WTO negotiation, to the advantage of local development of all countries involved." Declared Coldiretti at the reopening of the negotiation in Geneva, Switzerland the past December 15, 2003 following the failure to reach an agreement at the previous meeting in Cancun, Mexico.

According to Coldiretti, the safeguarding of typical food products threatened by international forgery is a choice that promotes market transparency, and for Europe and Italy means protection from a grave economic and occupational crisis.

In fact, "food piracy" causes billions of Euros in damage to the Italian food industry, stealing important chunks of market share to producers who undergo rigorous and expensive production rules enforced by independent authorities. In addition, the international consumer is routinely tricked by the improper use of words, colors, locations, images, denominations and recipes that imitate the original products, but in reality do not respect the strict production rules and quality controls enforced in Europe.

The 14 Italian typical food products most imitated around the world

ORIGINAL PRODUCT	IMITATION	COUNTRIES
	Wines and Spirits
Chianti	Chianti Chianti station	Argentina ( bottled in straw holder reproducing the Italian flag) United States
Grappa (Barolo, Piemonte, Lombardy, Trentino, Friuli, Veneto e Alto Adige)	Grappa	South Africa
Marsala	Marsala	United States, Argentina and Australia
	Other Typical Food Products
Asiago	Asiago	United States, Canada
Fontina	Fontina	United States, Canada and Argentina
Gorgonzola	Gorgonzola Gorgonzola e TimboonZola	United States, Canada, Brazil and Australia
Grana padano	Grana Padano	United States and Canada
Mortadella Bologna	Bologna Bologna Mortadela Bologna, Bolonita, Bolonha, Bolognella	United States, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica and Brazil
Mozzarella di bufala campana	Mozzarella campana	Australia, China
Parmigiano reggiano	Parmesao Reggianito, Parmesan Reggiano, Parmesano Parmesan, Parmigiano Parmesan	Brazil, Argentina, South and Central America, United States, Canada, Australia and Japan
Pecorino romano	Romano	United States, Argentina and Australia
Prosciutto di Parma	Parma Parma ham	Brazil, United States and Canada
Prosciutto di San Daniele	Daniele prosciutto & company	United States
Prosciutto toscano	Toscano	Brazil

Source: Coldiretti – Translated from Italian by WineCountry.IT

Home • General Index • Contact Us • Search • News • About Us • Site Map

Feedback? Please, contact the web master.

Food: WTOStaff Writer - February 5, 2004

The skirmish between Europe and the rest of the world over the imitation of typical products continues.

Article

Close

Food: WTO
Staff Writer - February 5, 2004