4-7-14 baldwin-brats, beer and cheese

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin says a trade deal with the European Union  that puts restrictions on product names like Bratwurst could have a devastating impact on Wisconsin’s economy.   Baldwin is part of a bipartisan effort to protect dairy producers, meat manufacturers and brewers from a European trade initiative that would change common names for meats, cheeses and beer.  "I think it would be devastating for some of the top products that our state is known for producing and frankly I think sometimes we do it better than our European counterparts,"  Baldwin told AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program.  "Those are fighting words."  Baldwin says any proposal that limits Wisconsin businesses’ ability to export and compete must be restricted.  Baldwin says if the United States were subjected to a ban of traditional names for various products consumers may be confused and Wisconsin dairy farmers, meat producers and brewers could suffer.