Emmental cheese: no fakes please!
One of Switzerland's most recognizable gastronomic symbols is in danger of falling prey to imitations.
In a bid to pre-empt any other cheeses from encroaching on its territory, as trade barriers fall, the cheese-makers association, “Emmentaler Switzerland”, has requested that its product be granted a certificate of origin (AOC).
The request – which was made in June, but which was only made public on Saturday – comes as Switzerland prepares to liberalise the highly-regulated milk sector, and as it readies itself for agricultural reforms in the wake of the recently-signed bilateral accords with the European Union.
In a statement released to the press, “Emmentaler Switzerland” said it had taken the step because it believed the up-coming moves would have enormous consequences on the export of Swiss cheeses.
Within the EU, the name “emmental” is not protected in the way certain products that carry the name of a geographical area are. It is simply mentioned on a list of generic products.
swissinfo and agencies
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