EU-Mercosur deal makes cow's milk feta cheese legal

The EU's trade agreement with Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) on the PDO feta cheese is causing problems. Latin American producers will be allowed to use the name for up to 7 years under certain conditions. The agreement states: "The protection of the geographical indication 'Feta' shall not prevent the continuous and similar use of the term 'Feta' by any person, including their successors and assigns, for a maximum period of 7 years from the entry into force of this agreement, provided that at the time of the entry into force of this agreement they have used the said geographical indication continuously in relation to the same or similar goods in the territories of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. During these years, the use of the term 'feta' must be accompanied by a legible and visible indication of the geographical origin of the said product." That is, producers who already use the word “feta” can continue to use it, as long as they indicate the ...