Sri Lanka nears EU Geographical Indication status for Ceylon Tea

CERTIFICATION EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN BRAND PROTECTION AND BOOST PRODUCER INCOME

- By SHANNINE DANIEL

Sri Lanka stands to gain a powerful legal instrument to protect Ceylon Tea by registering it as a Geographical Indication (GI) with the European Union (EU), as it will help strengthen consumer confidence and recognise the people whose expertise and dedication have contributed to its reputation, French Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Rémi Lambert said.

As the project on GIs nears completion, the officials involved expressed confidence in the benefits the certification would bring to Ceylon Tea and the wider industry.

Dr. Delphine Marie-Vivien, CIRAD Researcher in Law, who provided legal expertise and led the project, said there were several advantages, including legal recognition for the Ceylon Tea brand that would allow the stakeholders to fight against any misuse of its name.