BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) – The European Commission said yesterday it would simplify its rules for protecting geographic food names, such as Parma ham or Roquefort cheese, making it easier for other countries to apply for an EU food trademark.

A World Trade Organisation (WTO) panel in March ordered the EU to make minor changes after the United States and Australia said the EU broke global trade rules by discriminating against their producers.

The EU insisted the system was always open to foreign products, citing special protection for Colombian coffee, even though the vast majority of the 700 names on the list are European.

Under the system, only ham produced using traditional methods near the Italian city of Parma can be called Parma ham, Roquefort cheese must come from its native region in southern France and Madeira wine from the Portuguese island of the same name.

Brussels will now drop a requirement that other countries must operate similar protection to gain EU recognition.

It said the WTO upheld the EU’s “geographical indications” system and rejected most of the complaints made by the US and Australia.

The US and Australia also claimed the WTO ruling was a victory in their battle with the EU over the rights to food names.