A judicial ruling determined that “Gruyere” is a generic style of cheese that can come from anywhere.

The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) commended Ambassador Katherine Tai and Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) staff, as well as USDA and other administration partners, for reaffirming in the USTR's "Special 301 Report" the U.S. government’s commitment to tackling continued European Union (EU) misuse of legitimate geographical indications (GI) protections.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council, the National Milk Producers Federation and the Consortium for Common Food Names expressed appreciation for Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s denunciation of geographical indications as trade barriers.

The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN), Arlington, Va., said major dairy-producing organizations around the world are challenging the European Union's (EU) decision to disregard market realities and international trade standards by granting Denmark sole ownership of the generic name "havarti" cheese in Europe.