STARBUCKS AND ETHIOPIAN COFFEE BRANDS

That this House is concerned by reports that Starbucks coffee company sought pro-actively to influence the National Coffee Association and block the Ethiopian government's attempt to register its most famous coffee names as trademarks; believes that allowing Ethiopia to establish its brands would provide Ethiopian farmers with leverage gradually to boost coffee prices; and strongly urges Starbucks to pursue a wholly positive relationship with producer nations like Ethiopia by supporting economic initiatives on all fronts.