GENEVA (Sputnik), Anastasia Levchenko — The statement comes as a controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is being negotiated by the European Union and the United States. The deal, aimed at creating the world's largest free trade zone, bypasses the WTO multilateral format, excluding many major trade players, such as the BRICS countries.
"We as European dairy farmers do need a multilateral system which will address globally the rules for food products. It is the only way to establish fair rules, and, in the end of the day, to have a vibrant competitive sector," Mansel Raymond, chair of the EU umbrella organization for farming unions Copa-Cogeca Milk Working Group, said on the sidelines of the WTO Public Forum.
A fair legal framework is required to address safety standards worldwide, he added.
The EU dairy sector insists on keeping the system of Geographical Indications (GIs) that protects local producers, however the US side opposes it.
