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Author: trice@nmpf.org
CCFN Statement on 2024 Farm Bill Overview
ARLINGTON, VA – CCFN Executive Director Jaime Castaneda issued a statement on the Congressional Farm Bill summary rollout today:
“The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) views the farm bill as a vital opportunity to create a specific policy to address the increasing harm facing American food and beverage manufacturers in light of the European Union’s attempts to impose worldwide bans on commonly used terms – words such as parmesan, bologna, classic, kölsch beer and basmati rice.
This is a priority concern for U.S. exporters and CCFN is pleased to see the forward movement in that process as indicated by the proposals issued today by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow. CCFN is ready to work closely with both committees to advance a strong farm bill and ensure the inclusion of the type of robust protections for the use of common food and beverage terms in global markets that are laid out in the Safeguarding Value-Added Exports Act.”
USTR Special 301 Report Examines Trade Barriers Caused by Geographical Indications
ARLINGTON, VA – The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) expressed their support today for the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) prioritization of the protection of common names in this year’s Special 301 Report.
The annual report details the largest intellectual property challenges around the world, including the European Union’s exploitation of geographical indication rules to confiscate common names – such as “parmesan” or “feta” – and prevent non-EU producers from using those terms to market or sell their products in certain markets.
“The European Union’s abuse of geographical indications is purely an anti-competitive campaign to block producers and exporters in the United States and elsewhere from accessing key markets,” said CCFN Executive Director Jaime Castaneda. “We are thankful that USTR continues to recognize these efforts as a threat that needs to be addressed. Now, it’s time for the U.S. government to utilize its full suite of tools to secure the market access rights of common name producers.”
CCFN submitted comments to the agency in January, emphasizing the need for the U.S. government to become invested in this issue, and expounding on how producers on-the-ground are negatively impacted when the European Union confiscates common names. Castaneda then testified before USTR staff at a February hearing on the Special 301 process.
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Longtime Common Names Advocate Jaime Castaneda Testifies Before Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
ARLINGTON, VA – Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) executive director Jaime Castaneda testified yesterday before U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) trade policy staff on the need for the U.S. government to proactively secure protections from trading partners that guarantee the right of producers to use common food and beverage names, such as “parmesan” or “feta.”
The public hearing complemented USTR’s annual Special 301 review, which aims to identify countries that are inadequately defending intellectual property (IP) rights. This review then informs USTR’s engagement on IP issues for the following year.
CCFN, with the support of its members and the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Milk Producers, responded to the agency’s request for information in January, submitting comments that emphasized the need for the U.S. government on this issue, and reiterated how producers on-the-ground are negatively impacted when the European Union confiscates common names. Based on extensive research and feedback from membership, CCFN also detailed the specific markets that the Administration should prioritize work in to preserve export opportunities.
In his testimony today, Castaneda detailed how the European Union misuses geographical indications and why producers and exporters need the U.S. government to match the EU’s efforts on common names.
“The United States has unmatched economic and political influence – now is the time to use it,” said Castaneda during the hearing. “We applaud the Biden Administration for increasing the awareness with other countries to respect our agreements and their Intellectual Property rules. Yet, there is much more that can be done, and the U.S. government must intensify its support of U.S. farmers’ and manufacturers’ ability to compete fairly in foreign markets by securing firm and explicit commitments ensuring the future ability to use commonly used generic food and beverage terms that are being targeted by or at risk of EU monopolization efforts.”
As part of its mission to preserve the right to use generic food and beverage names, CCFN has championed the Safeguarding American Value-Added Exports (SAVE) Act, introduced last year to spur greater Administration-led action on common names. The SAVE Act has garnered broad industry and congressional support and is awaiting inclusion in the farm bill.
Read CCFN’s full comments here.