National Milk Producers Federation

Release Date: March 17, 2005

WASHINGTON — Leaders of three major dairy organizations say they welcome a World Trade Organization ruling regarding geographic indications (GIs), protected geographic names used to identify the origin of food products. In a report released Tuesday, the WTO sided with the United States and ruled that the European Union's system on geographical indications discriminates against U.S. producers and products.
     
“This is an important victory for U.S. agriculture, especially dairy producers and processors,” said Jerry Kozak, president and chief executive officer, National Milk Producers Federation. “We've always viewed Europe's system on geographical indications as yet another anti-trade impediment.”
     
The WTO panel ruled that the EU system violates the WTO intellectual property rights agreement because it does not treat all parties equally, foreign or domestic. The panel also ruled against the EU system for protecting certain geographical names as trademarks.
     
“This is a significant step forward towards demonstrating to the world the unfairness of the EU regulations,” said Connie Tipton, president and chief executive officer, International Dairy Foods Association. “The panel upheld the right of trademark protection, which we feel is the best system for the world to use as global markets are integrated.”
     
According to Tom Suber, president of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the issue of GIs could have substantial economic effects in the United States. “Although this case is not about the EU's goal of preventing the use of generic names on dairy products, it is certainly a big setback for Europe's plan in the Doha Round,” he said.
     
While all three organizations are pleased that the WTO ruling will permit U.S. producers the same access to the EU system that European producers enjoy, they say it's also clear that the United States must remain vigilant to any further attempts by the European Union to expand GI protections to foods within the WTO, a move that would affect generic names of many cheeses.

NMPF, based in Arlington, Va., develops and carries out polices that advance the well-being of U.S. dairy producers and the cooperatives they collectively own. The members of NMPF's 33 cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of 50,000 dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. Contact Chris Galen, 703-243-6111.

USDEC is a non-profit, independent membership organization that represents the export trade interests of U.S. milk producers, proprietary processors, dairy cooperatives, and export traders. Its mission is to enhance international demand for U.S. dairy products and assist the industry to increase volume and value of exports. Contact Margaret Speich, 703-528-3049.

IDFA is the Washington, DC-based organization representing the nation's dairy processing and manufacturing industries, and their suppliers. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), National Cheese Institute (NCI) and International Ice Cream Association (IICA). Its 500-plus members range from large multinational corporations to single-plant operations, and represent more than 85% of the total volume of milk, cultured products, cheese, and ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States, an estimated $70-billion industry. Contact Susan Ruland, 202-220-3549.