Baldwin Calls EU Trade Demands 'Ridiculous'

U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Pat Roberts of Kansas, joined by Patrick Toomey, Pennsylvania, and Rob Portman, Ohio, fought attempts by the European Union to impair U.S. trade by restricting the ability of U.S. producers to use the common names of meat products like bologna and black forest ham at home and abroad.

"Wisconsin has a long tradition and proud reputation in our cheese making and meat producing. These industries are vital to our state's economy and our heritage," said Senator Baldwin. "The current trade negotiations with the European Union threaten not only the names of common state products, but also key drivers of our Wisconsin economy. We must restrict any proposal that limits our Wisconsin businesses' ability to export and compete both domestically and internationally."

The group of lawmakers sent a letter with the signatures of 43 other Senators to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging them to continue to resist efforts by the EU to use geographical indication restrictions to impair U.S. meat domestic sales and exports.

The senators also urged the USDA and the USTR to fight back against any attempt by the EU to restrict the use of these familiar brand names, saying 'Americans have no appetite for European protectionist policies.'