12/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - Several Italian MEPs have welcomed the EP's Legal Committee's approval of the amendments tabled by the rapporteur for the opinion on the regulation on the protection of agriculture and food products with designation of origin or PGI (protected geographical indication), Enrico Ferri (Forza Italia), who explained that they were now awaiting for the Agriculture Committee's vote on 1 October. Democratici di sinistra MEPs Fiorella Chilardotti and Enzo Lavarra have said they will fight to win the same successful result at the Agriculture Committee, so designation of origin and PGI can be turned into effective tools for protecting traditional products (which abound in Italy). Ferri gave the examples of Balsamic vinegar (from Modena), bacon from Colonnata, Genoa basil, buffalo milk mozzarella, Sardinian goat's cheese, Parmesan, Pontremoli mushrooms, Tuscan ham, Umbrian oil and Urbino's "caciotta". Ferri also welcomed the Legal Committee's approval of his amendments setting out a much simpler system for registering such products and more controls by Brussels.