NZ and EU Relationship Stronger Than Ever, Says Ambassador
New Zealand and the European Union are closer than ever.
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."
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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."
