By Jamie Martin
The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) is actively engaging with U.S. legislative committees to influence the 2024 Farm Bill, aiming to protect American food and beverage manufacturers against European Union (EU) trade restrictions. These restrictions threaten the use of common food terms like "parmesan" and "bologna."
Executive Director Jaime Castaneda highlighted the importance of this issue, noting the potential harm to U.S. exporters if these common names are banned globally. The proposals from House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow have shown promising forward movement. The CCFN's goal is to ensure that the farm bill includes robust protections for common food and beverage terms in international markets.
The debate stems from EU efforts to limit the use of certain food names to products from specific regions, affecting U.S. products on the global stage. The CCFN is advocating for measures similar to those in the Safeguarding Value-Added Exports Act to counteract these restrictions.
As the farm bill progresses, the CCFN remains committed to working closely with both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Their collaboration aims to establish a legal framework that ensures U.S. food products retain their marketability worldwide, despite EU geographic indications.
This initiative not only supports U.S. exporters but also contributes to maintaining the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products in global markets. The inclusion of such protections in the 2024 Farm Bill would represent a significant victory for U.S. agriculture and trade policy.
Categories: National