Baldwin pushes for fair trade to protect Wisconsin products

By Blake Jackson

Senator Tammy Baldwin has called on the Administration to prioritize the protection of Wisconsin's cheese and meat producers in international trade agreements. Baldwin's plea comes after the U.S. Trade Representative successfully secured market access to Chile for several U.S. cheese and meat products, including guarantees for the use of common food names like "parmesan" and "salami." This aligns with Baldwin's bipartisan legislation aimed at safeguarding Made in Wisconsin products from unfair trade practices.

“Trade and access to export markets are critical to Wisconsin’s dairy and meat industries, supporting American farmers and our rural communities, as well as food manufacturers and entire supply chains. For that reason, ensuring meaningful benefits and opportunities for American agricultural producers must be a top priority,” wrote Senator Baldwin in a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Common food and drink names like "parmesan," "chateau," and "bologna" are widely used globally but have geographic ties to European locations. The European Union has exploited these ties to implement unfair trade practices, potentially blocking U.S. agricultural products from international markets.

In June, the U.S. and Chile reached an agreement on market access for U.S. cheese and meat products, including the use of common food names in Chile.

Baldwin urged the Administration to continue securing similar agreements in future trade negotiations.

Rebekah Sweeney, Senior Director of Programs and Policy at the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, “Sen. Tammy Baldwin has been a consistent, impactful champion for the protection of common food names in trade agreements, opening the world to Wisconsin cheesemakers.

“The U.S. Dairy Export Council thanks Sen. Baldwin for her steadfast advocacy in protecting the rights of U.S. cheesemakers to use common terms in Chile and other key global markets,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

"American dairy farmers rely on common names like ‘parmesan’ to market their products globally,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “NMPF appreciates Sen. Baldwin’s dedication to protecting the international market access rights of American dairy producers. We look forward to collaborating with the senator and USTR on this important issue.”

The Consortium for Common Food Names commended Baldwin's leadership in fighting for market access rights for U.S. cheesemakers, meat processors, and winemakers. They emphasized the importance of the agreement with Chile and called for a proactive policy to ensure U.S. producers can access markets for generations to come.

Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo