Italy has accused the EU of «an attack» on its cultural heritage after Brussels demanded it consider producing mozzarella with powdered milk.
Mozzarella, traditionally made using fresh buffalo milk from southern Italy, is one of the country’s most famous exports and is considered one of the most important symbols of Italy’s passion for home-grown, natural produce.
But now the European Commission has sent an official letter to the ministry of agriculture, asking for “an end of the ban on possession and use of milk powder, condensed milk and reconstituted milk” in the manufacture of dairy products.
It considers the current ban «a restriction on the free movement of goods».
Roberto Moncalvo, president of Coldiretti, which represents agricultural producers, said the EU was forcing the country to lower its highly prized standards on food.
“We are facing the umpteenth diktat from Europe,» he said. «Even though the EU is wavering in front of unprecedented emergencies such as immigration, it is ready to support the lobbyists who want to force us to lower the quality of our food produce.”
He described the call for change as an «attack» on one of the symbols of Italy.
It comes months after the European Commission allowed winemakers in the EU to use sugar to increase the alcohol content in their wine amid outrage from many producers.
Currently, no cheese or yogurt products made using powdered milk are allowed to enter the Italian market, under a 1974 law brought in to protect the quality of Italian produce.
However, the EU said the law is «a restriction on the free movement of goods, as milk powder and concentrated milk are used extensively in Europe».
Coldiretti said Italy’s reputation as a quality food producer would be damaged as a result of a change in the law. The export market for Italian cheeses and dairy products is thought to be worth more than €2 billion (£1.42 billion).
Representatives from the EU Commission will meet with Italy’s ministry of agriculture on July 24 to discuss the situation.
Roberto Moncalvo, president of Coldiretti, which represents agricultural producers, said the EU was forcing the country to lower its highly prized standards on food.
“We are facing the umpteenth diktat from Europe,» he said. «Even though the EU is wavering in front of unprecedented emergencies such as immigration, it is ready to support the lobbyists who want to force us to lower the quality of our food produce.”
He described the call for change as an «attack» on one of the symbols of Italy.
It comes months after the European Commission allowed winemakers in the EU to use sugar to increase the alcohol content in their wine amid outrage from many producers.
Currently, no cheese or yogurt products made using powdered milk are allowed to enter the Italian market, under a 1974 law brought in to protect the quality of Italian produce.
However, the EU said the law is «a restriction on the free movement of goods, as milk powder and concentrated milk are used extensively in Europe».
Coldiretti said Italy’s reputation as a quality food producer would be damaged as a result of a change in the law. The export market for Italian cheeses and dairy products is thought to be worth more than €2 billion (£1.42 billion).
Representatives from the EU Commission will meet with Italy’s ministry of agriculture on July 24 to discuss the situation.
Source: Telegraph