Luxembourg, 18/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 10 May, Advocate General Dámaso Ruiz-Jarabo Colomer will issue his conclusions on the 'Greek feta case' in which representatives of Germany and Denmark pleaded this week at the European Court of Justice. The two Member States in question are calling for annulment of the EC Regulation of 14 October 2002 adding Greek feta to the list of protected appellations of origin.
Germany argues that first of all, the Commission should have actually established that feta has a specific geographical meaning. Germany claims that the sub-region notified by the Greek government in its request for protection for the product is clearly an artificial formation.
Denmark argues in addition that the area where feta is traditionally produced and eaten extends across several Balkan states, including some EU candidate states.
Conclusions are expected to be issued in May and observers suggest the ruling itself may be issued before the end of the year.