By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Trade Representative has released its 2026 Special 301 Report, which highlights progress made in protecting the use of common food and beverage names. This development was welcomed by major dairy and food organizations representing U.S. producers.
The report reviews key intellectual property challenges affecting exports and notes improvements in securing trade commitments from global partners. It pays special attention to protecting common names such as parmesan and feta, which have long been used by American dairy producers.
Geographical indication policies promoted by the European Union have limited the use of these names in some international markets. Such restrictions often favor select regional producers and create unfair barriers for others. The report acknowledges steps taken to reduce these limitations through new trade agreements.
“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 National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the Consortium for Common Food Names supported these efforts by working closely with the administration. Their goal has been to promote fair competition and protect the rights of U.S. producers.
The organizations also shared concerns about other commonly used dairy names, including asiago, provolone, and gruyere. Industry feedback, public comments, and hearings helped raise awareness of these ongoing challenges.
“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.
Moving forward, the groups stated they will continue to monitor trade agreements and cooperate with government partners. Their efforts aim to ensure that trade commitments are honored and that U.S. producers can compete fairly in global markets while continuing to use common food names without restriction.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dimasobko
Categories: National