Download the PDF version
Under the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA), Australia will protect 56 EU dairy geographical indications (GIs), including 53 cheeses, 2 butters, and 1 cream.
Many of these EU GI terms are not used by Australian producers in Australia. This means protecting these EU GIs will have minimal impact on Australian industry.
Overview
Australian use of certain GI terms will remain unchanged, whereas the use of others will be phased out. In some cases, producers with an established history of making and labelling products with these terms will be grandfathered, enabling them to continue their use.
Australia will protect the Italian GI Parmigiano Reggiano. Australian producers of parmesan face no change. Parmesan is not a GI nor is it use of the Italian GI in translation, in Australia. Retaining free use of parmesan was a top priority for the Government.
Australia will protect the Greek GI Feta. Existing Australian producers of feta face no change. Those who have a continuous history of making and labelling feta can continue to use the term to describe their cheese.
Australia will protect the Italian GI Fontina. Existing users will stop using the term 5 years after entry into force of the agreement.
Australia will protect the French GI Gruyère. Existing Australian producers of gruyere face no change. Those who have a continuous history of making and labelling gruyere can continue to use the term to describe their cheese.
Australia will protect the French GI Munster. Existing users will stop using the term 5 years after entry into force of the agreement.
Australia will protect the Italian GI Pecorino Romano. Existing Australian producers of romano can continue to use the term to describe their cheese as Romano at the wholesale level. Use of the term romano at the retail level will be phased out over 5 years.
Common dairy names
For greater certainty, the EU has confirmed examples of where it is not seeking protection of certain terms, including:
- brie
- camembert
- edam
- gouda
- mozzarella
- pecorino
Conditions of GI protection
Protection extends to use of the GI in translation or transliteration, where the translation or transliteration conveys the meaning of the GI. It also extends to use of the GI even where the true origin of the good is indicated or accompanied by expressions such as "kind", "type", "style" "imitation" or the like.
Australian dairy producers may benefit from a new Australian GI system
Australia will develop a new GI system which, in addition to protecting the list of EU GIs, will provide the opportunity for the protection of Australian GIs, including for Australian dairy producers who may wish to seek a GI. The system will offer a high standard of protection and enforcement.
An Australian GI may add value to products sold in Australia and exported to other markets.
Once protected in Australia, there will be opportunities for Australian GIs to be protected in the EU.