Italian farmers allege US could be sending fake Italian products to UK

Italy's national farmers' association Coldiretti warned the UK that the US may be sending them fake Italian foods.

Lorenzo Bazzana, Coldiretti's economic officer, said that before Brexit, they could request the UK to crack down on fake Italian foods.

But with the UK out of the EU, Bazzana said they fear things could turn for the worse.

He added that global sales of products pretending to be Italian reach €100 billion a year, which is double the sales of food and drink coming from Italy.

Coldiretti is worried that the market will be flooded with counterfeit versions of everything from wines to cheeses.

During the first five months post-Brexit, Italy's exports of pasta to the UK fell by 28 percent, tomato sauce plunged 16 percent, and extra virgin olive oil dropped 13 percent.

Brexit-related problems at the UK borders resulted in delays due to a shortage of truck drivers, customs concerns, and other complications that are jeopardizing €3.4 billion worth of Italian food exports.

Before Brexit, the UK was Italy's fourth-largest trade partner for food and drinks after Germany, France, and the US.

The products that were affected by the UK removing itself from the EU included food, clothing, appliances, machinery, metals, and "means of transport."

The usual shipments of food products from Italy to the UK include wine and prosecco, pasta, tomato products, olive oil, cured meats, and cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano.