France to Grant 1 Million Euros for Geographical Indication (GI) Certification of Ceylon Tea
Ceylon Tea coming from the resplendent island nation, Sri Lanka is recognized for her well balanced tasting profile by tea connoisseurs all over the globe. Sri Lanka Tea Board is the government body which is responsible for international promotion of Pure Ceylon Tea. As Sri Lanka Tea Board had reported, The French Development Agency (AFD) signed a grant agreement worth 1 million euros with the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) and French Agricultural Research Centre for Development (CIRAD) towards the development of a Geographical Indication (GI) for Ceylon Tea. The agreement was signed by AFD Country Director and SLTB Chairman in the presence of Hon. Minister of Plantation, H.E. Ambassador of France, Hon. State Minister of Company Estate Reforms Tea and Rubber Estate Related Crops and Hon. State Minister of Estate Housing & Community Infrastructure. The creation of a GI for Ceylon tea will aim at promoting quality products, protecting traditional know-how it is based upon, enhancing its commercial value and recognition in international markets including France.
Geographical indications mean indications which identify a product as originating from the territory of a member, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.
The geographical aspects and conditions of each of the seven tea-producing regions have significant influences on the characteristics of teas they produce. Despite its uniqueness, ‘ Ceylon Tea ’ does not have protection to uphold and to authenticate the quality reputation of the product. Counterfeit Ceylon Tea is sold in various consumer countries.
This grant from France will provide technical assistance for four years to establish GI and the relevant certification systems for ‘ Ceylon Tea ’. It will enable the CIRAD, that has proven experience in the implementation of geographical indications, and the UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), that has been working for several years on the establishment of a GI for Ceylon cinnamon, to support SLTB and numerous actors from the tea industry. Through this process, the ‘ Ceylon Tea ’ value chain is expected to become more productive, inclusive, and sustainable. Ceylon Tea will have enhanced value-addition in international markets through intellectual property protections and national and international certifications.
Mr. Jayampathy Mollogoda, the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tea Board stated “The registration for Ceylon Tea in Sri Lanka will not automatically create eligibility for a GI registration for “Ceylon Tea” name in overseas markets. Although, the reputation factor of Ceylon Tea could be well established, it is mandatory to prove the identification and verification of the origin of “Ceylon Tea” as against other origins through qualitative and quantitative research. Towards this end, the Sri Lanka Tea Board has sought assistance from AFD to finance the partnership, we wish to enter into and implement with CIRAD, as a technical partner in order to support Ceylon Tea value creation through the development of geographical indication and International Quality certifications. Accordingly, French Development Agency (AFD), French government agency has agreed to provide financial assistance to Sri Lanka Tea Board through the CIRAD, as a technical partner. This agreement is to set out the terms and conditions governing the partnership between the SLTB, the agency (AFD) and the technical partner (CIRAD).”
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