The Australian Government is being urged to stand firm and protect the right of Australian grape growers and winemakers to continue to use the grape variety name Prosecco.
Australian Grape & Wine CEO Lee McLean makes the call as Trade Minister Senator the Hon Don Farrell continues trade talks with the European Union on the sidelines of the G7 Trade Ministers meeting in Osaka.
“The Albanian government must protect the rights of Australian wine producers to use Prosecco as a varietal name, whether it’s at home or abroad,” McLean said.
“Any deal that undermines this right will be a damaging setback for the Australian wine industry.
“As the industry continues to suffer from crippling trade disruptions, the global pandemic and various weather events in recent years, the growth of Prosecco has been a shining light and lifeline for so many Australian producers.
“The Australian wine industry wholeheartedly supports expanded trade through free trade agreements that provide commercial benefits and meaningful market access for the Australian wine industry.
“The previous round of negotiations stalled after the European Union made proposals on agricultural products, including wine, that fell far short of industry expectations.
“We urge Minister Farrell to continue to take a strong stance against these European Union proposals, which are not in the best interests of Australia’s agriculture and wine industries.
“The Albanian government should not rush into a deal that is not in the best interests of Australian wine producers and exports. Simply put, no deal is better than a bad deal.
“The Australian wine industry has significantly more to lose than to gain from this trade deal in its current form. Prosecco has grown rapidly, with annual production valued at $200 million a year. Any agreement that restricts our existing market access would reduce this value, limit future growth, stifle innovation and contradict the very purpose of a free trade agreement.
“We have been working with the Albanian government on this trade agreement for many years and there is no reason to rush it through now if it’s not in the best interests of our wine sector and the wider agricultural industry,” concluded McLean.
