By LIAM DANN
New Zealand cheese makers should be able to use names like parmesan and feta that have their origins in specific geographic areas, says the Global Dairy Alliance.
The alliance - representing the major non-subsidising dairy export nations - is opposing attempts by European nations at WTO negotiations to restrict
the naming of dairy products to their original territory of manufacture.
Yesterday the alliance, of which Fonterra is a member, blamed the European Union for pushing restrictions through internal law and bilateral trade deals.
It said cheeses like parmesan and feta were generic, global products, and their manufacture should not be limited to Italy and Greece.
The push for WTO rulings on the issue was creating uncertainty and confusion in the world dairy industry, it said.
The alliance represents the dairy industries of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand and Uruguay.
