Australia recognizes Mexico as only true maker of tequila

Mexican tequila makers celebrated on Wednesday Australia's decision to recognize Mexico as the only place in the world that can use the drink's name. The Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico said that Australia joined Russia and Thailand in giving Mexico the protected designation of origin for the drink, which is made from the blue agave plant found in Jalisco state. Council director Ramon Gonzalez said the decision means that Australia will remove at least 10 "pseudo-tequilas" from the market in January. "It is a big step to allow the industry to have a market totally free and clean of unfair competition in Australia," he said. The council says 18 Mexican companies exported almost 825,000 liters of tequila to Australia last year. Mexico produced more than 261 million liters of tequila last year, exporting 60 percent of it.