61 senators urge USTR to prioritize access for foods with common names

摘要

Sixty-one senators on Thursday called on U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to prioritize securing market access for foods with common names. "On behalf of the food and beverage manufacturers, producers, and exporters we represent, we write today to request that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) establish as a core U.S. policy objective in all trade-related discussions the goal of securing concrete market access assurances regarding specific common food names and wine grape varietal designations or traditional terms, including those of importance to cheese, meat, wine, and other food producers across the United States," the senators wrote in a letter to the two cabinet officials. The letter was spearheaded by Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Stabenow is the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Every member of the Agriculture Committee except for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) signed the letter. Senate Finance Committee leaders Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) were among 17 of 28 Finance members to sign the letter.