TODAY
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Sport
MAKING AN IMPACT WANGARATTA’S Fabian Harding was in the zone while competing in Saturday’s wood chopping competition at Norm Minns Oval. Wood chop results in Wednesday’s Chronicle. More on the Wangaratta Sports Carnival in sport. PHOTO: Belinda Harrison
Wine chat positive
AUSTRALIA will stand firm on a wine agreement with Italy to maintain use of the Prosecco name following a high level meeting between the two countries’ governments last week. Federal Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Tim Ayres met with the Meloni Italian Government to discuss the strengthening of the bilateral trade relationship and advocate for the Australia-EU free trade agreement.
Governmental talks hold hopes p of reaching g bilateral free trade agreement g BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
The Italian Government claims that Prosecco is a wine region and therefore it has a geographic indicator on the name, preventing its use outside its designation of origin (DOC).
This has been a sticking point with trade agreements as Italian immigrants to Australia planted prosecco vines decades ago and claim that Prosecco is a variety and not named after a destination. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson reported that, “the meetings were positive and both sides
expressed hope for the rapid conclusion of the negotiations”. “Australia aims to conclude a comprehensive and ambitious trade agreement with the EU as soon as possible,” the spokesperson said. “A trade agreement with the EU would help diversify our trade relationships and expand opportunities for
Australian exporters.” To secure Australia’s interests, the government continues to engage the EU on its priorities in the negotiations, including in relation to GIs. “But the government will not agree to protect specific EU GI terms unless the overall deal is in Australia’s interests, including by delivering new commercially
meaningful agricultural market access for Australian exporters,” the spokesperson said. “The EU continues to seek protection for EU wine GIs in the trade agreement, including Prosecco. “The government is well aware of the importance of Prosecco to the Australian wine industry. ■ Continued page 2
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