Trade report highlights gain for US producers using generic food names
The National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the Consortium for Common Food Names have welcomed the release of the 2026 Special 301 Report by the U.S. Trade Representative. The report outlines key progress made in protecting the free use of generic food and beverage names in global trade.
The report focuses on intellectual property challenges faced by U.S. exporters and highlights efforts to safeguard commonly used food names such as parmesan and feta. These names have been widely used by American producers for many years.
However, certain trade policies, especially geographical indication of rules promoted by the European Union, have limited their use in global markets.
“For too long, the EU has weaponized GI policy to crowd out American producers from markets they have served for decades. This past year’s reciprocal trade agreements are a sea change, and we welcome USTR’s leadership and persistence in addressing this issue,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC.
“We encourage the administration to build on this impressive foundation in every remaining negotiation to ensure U.S. exporters are never again shut out of export markets by the EU’s GI misuse,” said Krysta Harden.
“EU GI schemes create a two-tiered system that benefits European dairy producers and stamps out competition,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “NMPF deeply appreciates USTR’s leadership in addressing the GI restrictions detailed in the Special 301 report as a priority trade barrier. We look forward to continuing this great work with USTR.”
The three organizations worked closely with the U.S. administration to address these trade barriers. They supported agreements that prevent restricting common food names to producers from specific regions. These actions help ensure fair competition and allow U.S. producers continued access to international buyers.
Industry leaders praised the progress made through reciprocal trade agreements. They noted that these agreements mark a shift toward more balanced trade relationships. The report recognizes the administration’s role in pushing back against rules that unfairly block U.S. products from key markets.
The Consortium for Common Food Names also provided input earlier this year, identifying several markets where common dairy names like asiago, provolone, and gruyere face restrictions. Public hearings and written submissions helped emphasize the importance of addressing these issues.
“The EU’s approach to geographical indications is simply a dressed-up trade barrier. It is entirely unacceptable. Too many trading partners have been coerced into imposing barriers on products using common food names,” said Jaime Castaneda, executive director of CCFN.
“We greatly appreciate the administration’s leadership in reversing this trend, and we urge USTR to build on their great work securing important protections for common names in nine Agreements on Reciprocal Trade signed to date and protect common names in every market,” said Jaime Castaneda.
Looking ahead, the organizations stated they will continue working with the U.S. Trade Representative and government partners. Their focus will remain on ensuring trade partners honor their commitments. These efforts aim to keep markets open, fair, and predictable for U.S. dairy and food producers using widely recognized common names.
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