"CODEX ALIMENTARIUS": PROTECTING THE WORLD'S TYPICAL PRODUCTS

From 4 to 9 July in Rome the Codex Alimentarius Commission

Rome, 4 July 2005 - From 4 to 9 July Rome will host the plenary meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the technical body of the WHO (World Health Organisation) and FAO, which has the task of defining the horizontal norms aimed at guaranteeing the protection and health of consumers in the international trade of food products.
The delegates from various countries will also deal with a proposal put forward by the U.S.A. for a "Parmesan" norm regulating generic grated cheese that has nothing to do with Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Italy, the European Union and the countries supporting the protection of Geographical Indications are against this proposal. Indeed, the "Parmesan" issue within the Codex represents a principle battle since a norm bearing this name, which is protected as a geographical indication giving rise to intellectual property rights in EU member states, would lead to an intolerable juridical situation due to the divergences that would develop in international trade. Using "Parmesan" as a pretext, the attack against geographical indications may lead to require norms also for other traditional products, such as Colombian coffee, Basmati rice and Tanjani tea from India. However, also trademarks may be jeopardised in this perspective.
Apart from the economic damage, a principle is at stake, i.e. the protection of Geographical Indications from imitations that deprive producers of their marks and deceive consumers. This is common to all countries in that Geographical Indications are an important instrument to enter the market.
Until today the request for a "Parmesan" norm has been rejected thanks to the tough stance adopted by the Italian Minister for Agricultural and Forestry Policies and the European Commission. The Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Consortium is particularly committed in this respect thanks to the network of international relations with various countries that are interested in defending Geographical Indications.
The objective is for the Codex Alimentarius Commission to finally dismiss the "Parmesan" proposal and resume the existing "Hard Grated Cheese" norm, which would assure the respect of the rights of all producers and consumers, and the principle of protection of territorial products and people's food cultures.
The Codex meeting attracts the interest of numerous associations that highlight the risk of losing national sovereignty on food related issues: a key matter that requires fully shared norms.