Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls for Stronger USTR Action on Protecting Common Food Names
Source: DairyNews.today
Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin has called on U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai to take additional steps to safeguard the market access of American dairy and meat producers, specifically concerning the use of common food names. In a letter to Tai, Baldwin praised the recent trade agreement with Chile, which permits the sale of many American-made cheeses and meats under common names such as “parmesan” and “salami.” She emphasized that this agreement is a significant advancement for the U.S. agricultural sector, providing new opportunities for producers to expand their businesses in international markets.
Baldwin, representing a state known for its robust dairy and meat industries, highlighted the importance of protecting these common names from restrictions often imposed by European Union (EU) trade agreements. The EU's geographical indication (GI) rules, which restrict the use of certain food and beverage names to products originating from specific regions, have been criticized as non-tariff trade barriers that hinder market access for U.S. producers. Baldwin's letter underscores the need for the U.S. to establish a proactive and consistent policy to defend the rights of American exporters to use these names freely.
In her letter, Baldwin urged the USTR to rigorously enforce the newly signed agreement with Chile and to allocate resources to ensure that no future bilateral trade discussions conclude without securing protections for common food names. She pointed out that the economic well-being of American agricultural producers, particularly in states like Wisconsin, relies heavily on access to international markets. The dairy and meat industries in Wisconsin contribute a combined $79 billion to the state’s economy, underscoring the critical importance of these sectors.
Baldwin also expressed concern over the growing trend of EU trade agreements imposing GI restrictions that extend beyond their original intellectual property intentions, effectively operating as market access barriers in global markets. She called on the USTR to treat these restrictions as such and to continue advocating for the rights of U.S. producers on the global stage.
The senator’s letter reflects a broader concern within the U.S. agricultural community about the potential impact of GIs on market access and competition. As trade negotiations continue, Baldwin’s push for stronger protections for common food names highlights the ongoing struggle between ensuring fair trade practices and respecting international intellectual property laws.
Baldwin concluded her letter by expressing her appreciation for the USTR's efforts and reiterated the importance of expanding market access and securing recognition for common food names. She emphasized that such measures are crucial for Wisconsin’s agricultural producers as they compete in the global marketplace.
In her letter, Baldwin urged the USTR to rigorously enforce the newly signed agreement with Chile and to allocate resources to ensure that no future bilateral trade discussions conclude without securing protections for common food names. She pointed out that the economic well-being of American agricultural producers, particularly in states like Wisconsin, relies heavily on access to international markets. The dairy and meat industries in Wisconsin contribute a combined $79 billion to the state’s economy, underscoring the critical importance of these sectors.
Baldwin also expressed concern over the growing trend of EU trade agreements imposing GI restrictions that extend beyond their original intellectual property intentions, effectively operating as market access barriers in global markets. She called on the USTR to treat these restrictions as such and to continue advocating for the rights of U.S. producers on the global stage.
The senator’s letter reflects a broader concern within the U.S. agricultural community about the potential impact of GIs on market access and competition. As trade negotiations continue, Baldwin’s push for stronger protections for common food names highlights the ongoing struggle between ensuring fair trade practices and respecting international intellectual property laws.
Baldwin concluded her letter by expressing her appreciation for the USTR's efforts and reiterated the importance of expanding market access and securing recognition for common food names. She emphasized that such measures are crucial for Wisconsin’s agricultural producers as they compete in the global marketplace.
