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EU Ambassador, Lawrence Meredith (right) hosts National MPs Stuart Smith and Vanessa Weenink at the EU tent at the Royal A&P Show in Christchurch.
An unusual participant at the recent Royal A&P Show in Christchurch was a stand promoting a variety of European products, during an event that normally champions the homegrown.
The European Union's stand Enjoy it's from Europe showcased European Union foods - cheeses such as Brie de Meaux, Greek olives and meats such as Prosciutto di Parma.
All are Geographical Indications - a way to identify and promote a product based on its origins and common recipe, for example by strictly reserving the label 'Champagne' for sparkling wines from a registered producer in the Champagne region of France.
The EU Ambassador to New Zealand, Lawrence Meredith, personally hosted the site for two of the three days of the show. He said it was all about promoting free trade between New Zealand and the EU and encouraging New Zealand producers to make better use of the GI system.
He said New Zealand's recognition of EU Geographical Indications opens the door for New Zealand to pursue GIs for its own produce.
"Put simply, it means if you want to know a product's real quality, you want to know where it comes from," he said.
"So, I've just opened a bottle of Champagne and I can tell you for a fact, it came from this Champagne region of France and that's what we call a protected geographical denomination."
Meredith notes that New Zealand currently has 23 GIs registered for sale in the EU - such as wines including Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Central Otago Pinot Noir - but Europe has almost 2000.
"So, what I'm showing here is why that matters."
Meredith describes himself as a proud "Yorkshire Irishman" - post-Brexit, he is qualified to represent Europe due to his Irish citizenship through his Irish mother.
"We're all proud of our land. We're all proud of our people, and I think we're proud of our food and heritage too.
"So, I've got excellent cheese - sheep and cows cheese. I've got it from Spain, I've got it from Italy, from France, I've got Halloumi from Greece and we've also got a couple of beers. I just drank a Czech beer with a guy from the Czech Republic."
Meredith said it all goes to show that Europe has really good quality products.
"And I see the same in New Zealand agriculture honestly. But so far, you've only got a very small number you've protected. I think you could have an awful lot more."
Meredith said the Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the EU that came into force on May 1 last year was "going gangbusters".
New Zealand exporters had made an extra two billion dollars on the back of the FTA, mainly in horticulture, seafood and wine.
Meanwhile, Meredith described the recent decision by the Alliance Group enter a partnership with the Irish meat group Dawn Meats as the majority shareholder "a fantastic investment bringing Irish expertise into the New Zealand market."
Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show president Brent Chamberlain says a big development for this year is the Wool Zone, first introduced two years ago as a showplace for everything produced from wool, but now greatly enlarged with its own Wool Marquee and more than 30 trade sites.
The New Zealand/European Union free trade agreement (FTA) is exceeding the expectations of both parties and more good things are in the pipeline.
The new chair of the Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) board, Sir David Carter, is pleading for public support for this year's Christchurch Show.
The European Union Ambassador says the new free trade agreement (FTA) between the bloc and New Zealand will bring significant benefits to both parties.
Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of Canterbury Agricultural Park for public use while helping to provide long-term certainty for the A&P Show.
An unusual participant at the recent Royal A&P Show in Christchurch was a stand promoting a variety of European products, during an event that normally champions the homegrown.
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