3.14.2007 - 09:40am ET

(CSRwire) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – March 14, 2007 - Ethiopian Fine Coffee Farmers Cooperative Unions and Exporters expressed their disappointment over the delays that Starbucks has caused in negotiations with Ethiopia and taking deliberate actions to divert attention from the trademark issue. Ethiopia’s fine coffee names trademark initiative has received international recognition as an innovative approach to bring added benefits to millions of poor farmers and help alleviate poverty.

"When Starbucks announced that it will not block Ethiopia’s initiative and also increase its volume of purchase of Ethiopian coffee, we all welcomed it believing that it is a good first step and would open the door for negotiations with the company," said Hailu Gebre Hiwot, Chairman of The Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association. "But we have yet to see any efforts made by Starbucks to come to the table and discuss technical issues on the royalty free licensing agreement Ethiopia is asking it to sign."

The Ethiopian government has made it clear that the country will continue to pursue the trademarking and licensing initiative. At the same time, Ethiopia is willing to engage Starbucks and other coffee companies in discussions to sort out legitimate issues on the licensing agreement.

"Starbucks has continued to make unsubstantiated claims that Ethiopian farmers will be better off under different marks," said Tadesse Meskela, General Manager of Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union "It seems to us that Starbucks is dodging the issue and making excuses not to take concrete steps towards recognizing Ethiopia’s ownership of its coffee names."

The coffee companies that sign an agreement become part of a new Network of Licensed Distributors and will work with Ethiopia’s Fine Coffee Stakeholders Committee to improve the financial returns for all in the supply chain, including the coffee farmers who currently get such a negligible share of retail prices.

"Ethiopian farmers and coffee exporters urge Starbucks to come to the table and settle all technical issues and sign the royalty free licensing agreement Ethiopia has offered," continued Meskela. "We hope to enter into partnership with Starbucks through negotiated licensing agreement."

The Ethiopian Fine Coffee Farmers Cooperative Unions and Exporters commend the efforts of Oxfam and the many other allies for their support to secure the rights of Ethiopian coffee farmers.

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