The Portland Press Herald has published a front page story about one topic at the Transatlantic Trade Partnership negotiations of restrictions on using protected Geographic Indicators (“GI”s) in the trade names of cheeses. A trade agreement could ban the use of these GIs when exporting US cheese to other countries and could possible also ban the use of these GIs in US made sales sold in the US. This could affect Brie, Camembert, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Parmesan and even Feta (which is already a protected GI in Europe). A number of Guild members shared their thoughts with the PPH reporter on this issue. Maine Senator Angus King has publicly urged the USDA and US Trade Representative to fight EU efforts to protect the use of GI cheese names in cheese exported from the US.
Category Archives: News
Postcard From London
At the Neals Yard shoppe in Borough Market
Exhibit at the Big E in 2014
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry would like to invite interested organizations to apply for exhibiting opportunities this September in the State of Maine Building at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The State of Maine building currently has 2 remaining exhibit locations and will be accepting applicants for these remaining locations until Friday, March 28th.
Over the course of the 17 day fair in 2013, the Big E fairgrounds had over 1.4 Million visitors from New England and surrounding areas. An estimated 850,000 visitors tour the Avenue of States where each New England State has its own building; including the State of Maine which is dedicated to selling and promoting Maine and its culture. This is a great opportunity to showcase products or services that positively represent the State of Maine to a large audience, with two booth size options including 13’x10’ and 13’x20’ measurements.
Please visit our website for application materials and more details on this opportunity. Contact us at 287-3494 with any questions you might have on exhibiting at the Big E. Please feel free to share this notification with any party that may be interested in this unique opportunity.
Thank you for your interest in promoting the State of Maine!
Sincerely,
Jessica Nixon
Promotions Coordinator
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Agricultural Resource Development Division