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Europe's Highest Court Decides that Feta Must be Greek Ending a lengthy battle within the European Union (EU), the European Court of Justice ruled on October 25 that only cheese manufacturers in Greece have the right to use the name "feta" for the well-known salty, crumbly white cheese. While this decision only applies to feta cheese that is sold within Europe, it is also expected to bolster the EU's desire to continue pressing for geographic indications (GI) protections for food names within the current World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations."Although not surprising, we are very disappointed with the court's ruling, which will embolden the EU in its efforts to get its domestic protections for food names enacted as part of global trade rules," said Clay Hough, IDFA senior vice president and general counsel. "We are working closely with U.S. officials to oppose the EU's efforts, which if successful would restrict the use of such generic cheese names and varieties as parmesan and feta worldwide." Greece has been campaigning for GI protection for feta since 1994, contending that feta cheese can only be made with a mixture of sheep and goat's milk from Greek animals. The European Commission ruled in 2002 that feta cheese must be Greek. Since Denmark and Germany produce a large portion of the feta cheese market, the Danish and German governments then asked the EU's highest court to review whether feta should have been given GI protection. Denmark and Germany had argued that since feta is produced so widely and for many years outside of Greece, the name has lost its original tie to the region and has become generic. However, the court last week rejected those arguments. As part of its reasoning, the court stated that feta produced in other EU states was often marketed with labels showing its Greek heritage; it also said that the Greek fauna that goats feed upon gives feta special characteristics that cannot be reproduced elsewhere. In December, WTO trade ministers will be meeting to discuss international trade policies in Hong Kong, where the EU is likely to renew discussions about this controversial topic. In preparation for these meetings, IDFA will remain in close contact with U.S. trade officials to continue to oppose the EU's efforts on GI protections. Members with questions about this issue can contact Helen Medina at hmedina@idfa.org, 202/220-3507.
Posted October 31, 2005
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