According to Le Figaro newspaper on June 8, Australia threatened to withdraw from negotiations on a free trade agreement with the European Union because it would not allow its cheese, wine and cooked meat producers to use the “controlled origin” designation.
The EU has asked Australia to protect more than 400 regional products, such as feta cheese, Parma ham and Irish spirits. Australia insists it is a “sensitive issue” that is equally important to Australian producers.
Negotiations for an EU-Australia free trade agreement have been going on for five years, but disputes over the names of products such as cheese remain, putting the deal at risk. Australia hopes the agreement will reduce EU border tariffs and boost its agricultural exports. The EU also wants to reduce its dependence on imports from countries such as Russia.