EU wants Australia to stop using names 'feta’ and 'scotch whisky'

The Morrison government will speak with Australian food and drink producers about the EU's push to change the names of some products.

The EU wants protections for food and drink brands in its region – forcing Australian feta-makers to refer to their cheese as "Australian feta". Source: AP

Some Australian food and drink products would need to be re-named under strict changes proposed by the European Union under a proposed free trade deal.

But Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has vowed to drive a "very hard bargain" with the EU, which is pursuing the product name issue in its negotiations with the federal government.

Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says he will drive a "very hard bargain" with the EU. Source: AAP

The EU wants protections for food and drink brands in its region, and if it's successful Australian feta-makers could be forced to refer to their cheese as "Australian feta".

Local spirits producers would also need to avoid using the term "Scotch whisky".

Packaging may also need to be changed for some Australian products, such as mozzarella cheese so it doesn't look too similar to European brands.

The name ‘feta’ could soon be off the menu. Source: Moodboard

Senator Birmingham says the coalition government will spend the next three months consulting with the industries likely to be impacted under the proposed changes.

A mozzarella cheese producer in Rome. Source: AP

"Ultimately, we will only do this deal if overall it is in Australia's interests to do so," he told The Australian on Tuesday.

"We want to hear directly from Australian farmers and businesses so that we can fully represent them in our continuing negotiations with the EU."

The EU is Australia's second-largest trading partner, third-largest export destination and second-largest services export market.