The system of Italian PDO and PGI products is ready to boycott the promotional initiatives planned for next May and carried out in China by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). Origin Italia - the association that brings together 26 Consortia for the protection of Italian food products with the EU trademark (including Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, Grana Padano PDO, Prosciutto di Parma PDO and Prosciutto San Daniele PDO, Gorgonzola PDO and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana PDO) - has in fact raised the alarm. Amending a law that dates back to 2017, the Chinese authorities have equated the Consortia to non-profit organizations, thus introducing the obligation for anyone wishing to carry out promotional activities in China to have their own legal Chinese representative.

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“The European Commission is looking for a solution together with the Chinese authorities - says the president of Origin Italia, Cesare Baldrighi - otherwise we are ready to ask our 26 associated Consortia to boycott participation in the Italian pavilion organized by ITA to be held in China next May.” Italy’s GIs system is worth 16.9 billion euros, and can boast 180 thousand operators and 285 protection Consortia.

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