Geo Indications, GMO Crops Remain Priority Issues in EU-U.S. Trade Talks

Geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural products and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) remain significant issues in trade negotiations between the U.S. and the European Union, top officials said Feb. 19.

There are political and cultural sensitivities in both regions regarding the trademark-like protection of food names like Parmesan, and with biotechnology, Phil Hogan, EU commissioner of agriculture and rural development, and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said at the USDA’s annual Agricultural Outlook Forum in Washington.

The leaders in a roundtable focused on Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations that have entered a new phase this year, They’re aiming for ...