Addis Ababa, November 4, 2006 (Addis Ababa) - British-based charity Oxfam International called on US hot drinks giant Starbucks to stop "bullying" the poor in Ethiopia in a row over the trade marking of coffee beans, AFP reported on Friday.
The US-based chain has denied using heavy-handed tactics to foil a bid by Ethiopia to protect the name of three coffee beans and said it wanted to work with the African nation on the issue, it said.
But Oxfam, while welcoming an initial step by Starbucks, called on the company to stop trying to force the government in Addis Ababa to agree to an alternative deal.
"Starbucks has engaged in some positive initial steps in helping coffee farmers living in poverty," said Seth Petchers of Oxfam International's Make Trade Fair campaign.
"I don't understand why they won't take the next step and come to the table and discuss Ethiopia's proposals in good faith."
The report said Starbucks, which extols fair trade with its suppliers in the developing world, has been thrown on the defensive by allegations from Oxfam that it was instrumental in depriving Ethiopian farmers of extra income.
Ethiopia had applied to trademark its most famous coffee names, Sidamo, Harar and Yirgachefie, enabling it to control their use and allow farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price, it said.
But in August the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled in favor of a protest by the National Coffee Association (NCA), which represents US coffee roasters including Starbucks, against the trademark application.
Accusing Starbucks of being behind the NCA protest, Oxfam said the US chain was denying Ethiopian producers an estimated 47 million pounds (70 million euros, 88.5 million dollars) a year.
"Starbucks has refused to move forward in negotiations with Ethiopia unless it's on the company's own terms," said Oxfam, in a statement which urged the company "to stop bullying the poor."
Oxfam is calling on the company "to stop forcing an alternate agreement on Ethiopia and come to the table, open and willing to negotiate," it said.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency