Greek MEP Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left) has submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission, demanding clarification on how the EU is protecting the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for feta cheese in trade negotiations with non-EU countries. The question, filed on 9 April 2026, targets what Arvanitis calls the Commission's 'inaction' in the face of trade agreements that recognise 'feta' as a generic term, undermining the PDO system and harming Greek producers.
a list of non-EU countries where legally binding PDO protection for feta has been secured, with timelines; an assessment of the compatibility of 'common name' clauses with EU commitments; and a commitment to make full PDO protection a non-negotiable 'red line' in all future agreements. The MEP cites a 2020 CJEU ruling (C-159/20) that obliges Member States to prevent the use of the name 'feta' even for exports to third countries.
Policy orientation and ambition Arvanitis's question signals a push for stronger EU enforcement of geographical indications (GIs) in trade policy, opposing the US-led push for 'common name' clauses that treat feta as generic. The MEP frames the issue as a systemic threat to the EU's GI system, not just a sectoral concern. The question implies that the Commission should prioritise producer and consumer protection over trade liberalisation, and that current EU trade agreements may be undermining internal PDO rules.
Expected follow-up The Commission is required to respond within approximately six weeks. Its answer will indicate whether it views the PDO feta issue as a trade bargaining chip or a non-negotiable standard, and whether it will take concrete steps to secure protection in ongoing negotiations with countries such as Indonesia, Argentina, and Bangladesh.
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