At the latest, 11th, round of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the parties exchanged a second round of offers on tariffs, as well as proposals involving rules of origin for specific products. During discussions that took place between October 19 and 23 in Miami, Florida, the EU identified a number of non-tariff issues which inhibit the trade of EU agricultural products in the US market, including the prohibition on direct shipping of EU wine to end consumers in the US, discriminatory tax breaks for US small wine and beer producers, a US inspection requirement for table olives and a specific levy imposed on imported dairy products.
The EU is also aiming to include a set of comprehensive rules on wines and spirits which would protect EU and US wine and spirit names, winemaking practices, labeling rules and certification.
For additional policy and legal developments in the EU food and beverage sector, please read Squire Patton Boggs’ semiannual report here.