International tea logo on lines of woolmark
The world’s tea producing nations have agreed to use a common logo designed by the FAO inter-governmental group (IGG) on tea. The move is aimed at protecting the authenticity of tea both in producer and consumer countries.
By Sutanuka Ghosal, TNN |
KOLKATA: The world’s tea producing nations have agreed to use a common logo designed by the FAO inter-governmental group (IGG) on tea. The move is aimed at protecting the authenticity of tea both in producer and consumer countries.
Tea-producing countries will also use the logo in promotional campaigns designed to popularise tea. The decision was taken at the 17th session of FAO inter-governmental group on tea which met in Nairobi for three days from November 28-30.
The meeting was attended by 53 nations including India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the US, Canada, Australia, Rwanda and Nepal among others.
Talking to ET from Nairobi, Sanjay Bansal, chairman of Darjeeling Tea Association and a delegate from India said, “The representatives from the respective countries will discuss this at the government level and inform the FAO IGG on tea. This common logo is similar to ‘Woolmark’ that is used by the woollen garment manufacturers worldwide.”
On cards also is the standardisation of green tea. At present, black tea producers use ISO-3720 standard for their produce. “It has been proposed to accept standardisation for all producing and consuming countries,” Mr Bansal said. The FAO IGG on tea has emphasised the need to give a thrust on reduction of maximum residual limit in tea.
ADVERTISEMENT
“There was also a proposal to protect the origins of tea. It was unanimously agreed that the GI (geographical indication) protection should be made available for tea. In India, Darjeeling tea enjoys GI protection. The FAO IGG stressed that other tea producing nations should take steps to introduce GI for their teas,” a senior member of industry who attended the Nairobi meet said. FAO also came out with a projection of global tea production for the next decade. According to the mid-term projections, global black tea production is projected to grow at 1.8% from 2005-2016, when it is expected to reach 2,927 million kg compared to an annual growth rate of 2.3% during the last decade.
Indian production which stood at 928 million kg in 2005 is expected to be around 1,095 million kg by 2016. In
African countries, the annual output is expected to slow down and Kenya is expected to achieve 395 million kg production by 2016.
Too busy to trade in stocks? Invest in Mutual Funds with ET Money!
Bookmark or read stories offline -
Download ET Markets APP
Download ET Markets APP
ADVERTISEMENT
