EU internal market
Labelling requirement for noodles
From now on it must be noted in Italy on pasta, rice and
tomato packaging, from where the goods and ingredients originate. This is not
really compatible with the rules of the European internal market.
tomato packaging, from where the goods and ingredients originate. This is not
really compatible with the rules of the European internal market.
The minister was very proud of his work. It is about
transparency for consumers and the protection of the producers of "Made in
Italy" products. "We will promote this approach at the European
level," Maurizio Martina confidently announced.
transparency for consumers and the protection of the producers of "Made in
Italy" products. "We will promote this approach at the European
level," Maurizio Martina confidently announced.
The man is agricultural minister in Italy, and his comments were
made only a few weeks ago. In mid-August, the Italian government published two
regulations which have since stirred up not only the Brussels EU Commission,
but also the European food industry and important trading partners such as
Canada.
made only a few weeks ago. In mid-August, the Italian government published two
regulations which have since stirred up not only the Brussels EU Commission,
but also the European food industry and important trading partners such as
Canada.
It's about food. And this is a very serious business in
Italy, and a huge business: in the country, the pasta and rice packs will have to
show from where the hard wheat for the pasta or rice originates. There are also
plans for comparable tomato products soon. The big question is whether this is
compatible with the rules of the European internal market - or whether the step
does not primarily serve to make it difficult for foreign competition in Italy.
Italy, and a huge business: in the country, the pasta and rice packs will have to
show from where the hard wheat for the pasta or rice originates. There are also
plans for comparable tomato products soon. The big question is whether this is
compatible with the rules of the European internal market - or whether the step
does not primarily serve to make it difficult for foreign competition in Italy.
Italy is the world's largest pasta producer and the number
one in Europe for rice. But the competition is considerable. For example,
Turkish noodle manufacturers use their products to flood the lucrative markets
in Africa, Asia and Arabia. At the same time, the price of durum wheat has
fallen because of a worldwide over-supply; the Italian farmers are complaining
about massive income losses.
one in Europe for rice. But the competition is considerable. For example,
Turkish noodle manufacturers use their products to flood the lucrative markets
in Africa, Asia and Arabia. At the same time, the price of durum wheat has
fallen because of a worldwide over-supply; the Italian farmers are complaining
about massive income losses.
Only about 60 percent of hard wheat comes from Italy. With regard to rice, the Italian producers are under
pressure, because tariff-free imports from poor countries like Vietnam and
Cambodia have made the prices in Europe tumble. In the tomato business, the Chinese are on the
rise. The Italian agricultural lobby has been calling for new labelling
requirements for the domestic market for quite some time. The government in
Rome is now prepared to grant their wishes.
pressure, because tariff-free imports from poor countries like Vietnam and
Cambodia have made the prices in Europe tumble. In the tomato business, the Chinese are on the
rise. The Italian agricultural lobby has been calling for new labelling
requirements for the domestic market for quite some time. The government in
Rome is now prepared to grant their wishes.
So far, the consumer is usually unable to see whether
Italian noodles are made from Italian hard wheat. In fact, the production of
some 300,000 wheat growers in the country is not enough to cover the immense
need of pasta producers. Only about 60 percent of the processed hard wheat come
from the country itself. The rest needs to be purchased. The largest supplier
is Canada. To date, the Canadian exporters have had to pay customs duties on
their supplies to Europe, but this fell away with the controversial CETA trade
agreement.
Italian noodles are made from Italian hard wheat. In fact, the production of
some 300,000 wheat growers in the country is not enough to cover the immense
need of pasta producers. Only about 60 percent of the processed hard wheat come
from the country itself. The rest needs to be purchased. The largest supplier
is Canada. To date, the Canadian exporters have had to pay customs duties on
their supplies to Europe, but this fell away with the controversial CETA trade
agreement.
Consumers also cannot easily see whether the risotto rice
marketed by an Italian company comes from Bella Italia or from abroad. It also
often remains unclear where the tomatoes come from the can or from concentrate.
The calculus of the Italian Government: If the relevant labels of origin are
printed on the labels, this strengthens domestic agricultural production -
after all, many consumers are patriots when they stand before the supermarket
shelf.
marketed by an Italian company comes from Bella Italia or from abroad. It also
often remains unclear where the tomatoes come from the can or from concentrate.
The calculus of the Italian Government: If the relevant labels of origin are
printed on the labels, this strengthens domestic agricultural production -
after all, many consumers are patriots when they stand before the supermarket
shelf.
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