Karoo lamb finally gets its own legislation

The South African government recently published new legislation regulating the use of geographic indication for agricultural products. This will enable farmers of Karoo lamb, amongst other products, to earn a premium for their meat. Gordon Wright and Prof Johann Kirsten examine this legislation and how it will be applied.

- Gordon Wright ,Prof Johann Kirsten

Farmers in the Karoo face many challenges. The current devastating drought, for example, is on the mind of every farmer in the region. However, even in normal years with decent rainfall and sufficient grazing, they have to contend with predators, stock theft and low meat prices.

MISUSE OF THE KAROO NAME

Yet another challenge faced by Karoo farmers is that they struggle to get a substantive premium for their lamb, due to misuse of the name ‘Karoo’. The reduction of its reputational and market value occurs through the misappropriation of the label ‘Karoo lamb’ by farmers outside the region, unscrupulous livestock agents, abattoirs, retailers and restaurateurs, all free-riding on the image and reputation of the Karoo.

By equating all lamb with Karoo lamb and suggesting that it comes from the Karoo’s beautiful open and clean spaces, they are robbing Karoo farmers of the chance to obtain a price that is related to the quality and authenticity of their product.

Now, finally, the South African government has come to the aid of Karoo farmers to help them move their product out of the commodity market and to the niche market of authentic and origin-based food with a regional and specific character that can only be found in a specific region. Karoo lamb, as defined, can thus only be farmed in the Karoo, on natural Karoo veld.

GEOGRAPHIC INDICATION

The publication of new regulations related to the registration of geographical indications (GIs) in the Government Gazette