A coalition of agricultural groups is applauding a bipartisan letter sent this week by 111 members of Congress, urging stronger protections for American-made food and wine exports using common terms. The National Milk Producers Federation says the letter is an important message regarding the need for enhanced U.S. efforts to combat the European Union’s attempts to ban U.S. exports of cheese, meat and wine products that are labeled with common terms – such as parmesan or bologna. The letter asks the U.S. Trade Representative and Department of Agriculture to make safeguarding common food and wine terms a core policy objective in all current and future trade negotiations. NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern states, “America’s dairy farmers have been unduly harmed by the EU’s efforts to limit market opportunities for U.S. dairy products.” In July, 61 Senators sent a similar letter requesting that the U.S. government enhance protections for common food and wine terms.