Italian food industry association Federalimentare expresses “satisfaction about the agreement between the EU and China, which protects some of our excellences and which could have positive implications in the future for the Italian food industry on the Chinese market”. That is what Ivano Vacondio, president of Federalimentare, said about the bilateral agreement that will protect 100 European Protected Geographical Indications in China (26 of which are Italian) and as many Chinese PGIs in Europe. The agreement was signed yesterday by the European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan and the Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan.

“Starting from these protected products – added Vacondio – which will also see in the next 4 years a numerical expansion, we can achieve a consolidation of our brands limiting the risk of Italian sounding and counterfeiting. These actions are also strategic to increase the Italian products presence on the Chinese market. We mustn’t close ourselves inside our homes: we as a country produce excellent products based on high quality and food safety, and we have nothing to fear but everything to gain.”

THE ITALIAN GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS TO GET PROTECTION IN CHINA

The list of European Geographical Indications that will get protection in China includes 26 typical Italian food and beverage products. These are:

Aceto Balsamico di Modena (Balsamic vinegar of Modena) Asiago PDO cheese AstiBarbarescoBardolino superiore Barolo Brachetto d’Acqui Bresaola della ValtellinaBrunello di Montalcino Vino Chianti Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Dolcetto d’Alba Franciacorta Gorgonzola Grana Padano GrappaMontepulciano d’Abruzzo Mozzarella di Bufala Campana Parmigiano Reggiano Pecorino Romano Prosciutto di Parma Prosciutto di San Daniele Soave Taleggio Toscano/Toscana wines Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

A MUCH BETTER PROTECTION FOR ITALIAN CHEESES

According to to Italy's dairy industries association Assolatte,