That’s just grate: A cheese fight

[EC]

Sorry for the cheesy headline. Politico Gouda done better.

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/cheese-united-states-european-union-104559.html

Would Parmesan by any other name be as tasty atop your pasta? A ripening trade battle might put that to the test.

As part of trade talks, the European Union wants to ban the use of European names like Parmesan, feta and Gorgonzola on cheese made in the United States.

The argument is that the American-made cheeses are shadows of the original European varieties and cut into sales and identity of the European cheeses. The Europeans say Parmesan should only come from Parma, Italy, not those familiar green cylinders that American companies sell. Feta should only be from Greece, even though feta isn’t a place. The EU argues it “is so closely connected to Greece as to be identified as an inherently Greek product.”

So, a little “hard-grated cheese” for your pasta? It doesn’t have quite the same ring as Parmesan.

U.S. dairy producers, cheesemakers and food companies are all fighting the idea, which they say would hurt the $4 billion domestic cheese industry and endlessly confuse consumers.

“It’s really stunning that the Europeans are trying to claw back products made popular in other countries,” says Jim Mulhern, president of the National Milk Producers Federation, which represents U.S. dairy farmers.

There is more at the link, but I want to pull out one final quote.

He points out that artisanal and locally produced foods are more popular than ever here and says some consumers may actually prefer the American brands. European producers can still lay claim to more place-specific names, like Parmigiano-Reggiano, he says.

“This is about rural America and jobs,” he said

Actually, no it is not. It is about rural Europe and jobs. We have very strict standards as to what may be called what over here, to protect the integrity of local specialties.

[rangerrebew]

Its always nice to see thoughtful discussions over something meaningful between the U.S. and EU.  A nice cheese flap is much better than discussing the common defense, energy costs, Ukraine, etc.  Those could be a "muenster" to deal with and "slice" relations.

[mountaineer]

Buck up, Ranger, don't be bleu!

[EC]

It may seem they are Stilton at windmills, yet there is a good point. Copyright law. Companies may copyright things, so may distinct geographical regions. You guys need to walk caerphilly around this issue.

[rangerrebew]

Buck up, Ranger, don't be bleu!

I am a proud "American."

[aligncare]

Ah, the EU. The other white meat socialists.

I understand their point, though. Here in America nobody says "I'll have a glass of sparkling wine." They ask for champagne, and of course they're served sparkling wine unless they ask for a specific label.

If this goes through then only American cheese would be rightfully ours. But, paired with a slab of meat on a bun, and a cheeseburger's not such a bad legacy for the US.