PARMIGIANO-REGGIANO: NEED FOR AN INCREASED INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION

Reggio Emilia, 11 March 2005 - After having learnt from the Coldiretti Association about the production of "parmigiao reggiao" in Brazil by a numerous community of people originating from the Veneto region in Italy, Leo Bertozzi, director of the Consortium for Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese, declared:
"Unlike what denigrators of EEC Regulation 2081/92 on the protection of geographical designations maintain, including countries of the American continent, this additional example of usurpation of marks shows the necessity of establishing a multi-lateral register on geographical indications within the WTO and the extension of article 23 Trips, regarding wines and spirits, also to other products.
This would allow access to the market especially to products from Southern countries and the protection of consumers with regards to the true origin and nature of products".