Geographic Indicators

Parmesan can't be called Parmesan. In a discussion with Idaho Dairyman's Association spokesperson, Rick Naerbout he talked about one reason for being disappointed about where he thinks Pres. Trump is going with the Trans Pacific partnership. “One of our significant issues with the European Union is geographic indicators. It did help us on that front. It would’ve been a trade agreement that wouldn't have impeded products that were imported to those Trans Pacific partner countries because of geographic indicators. So there are some of those other non-volume issues that TTP helped us on. It is disappointing from that standpoint. What are geographic indicators? Parmesan cheese is probably the most recognizable example. Because we are not in that part of Italy, the European Union would like to say that we cannot call the Parmesan cheese made here in America Parmesan cheese. So they would like to be able to inhibit our ability to export products like that to other countries using the name Parmesan. So it's different names like that that started out as products coming from a particular geographic region like Parmesan cheese to and it would be similar to the use of the word champagne in the wine industry. Another type of cheese coming from France is Brie. Any of those cheeses or dairy products that are named after a particular region.”