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South Africa: Minister Hails EU Designation of Rooibos
Govt of SA, 8 June 2021
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer welcomes the announcement that the European Commission has approved the registration of the designation… Read more »
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South Africa: Protecting Ecosystems Benefits Humanity
SAnews.gov.za, 7 June 2021
This decade will see concerted efforts to protect and revive ecosystems around the world for the benefit of humankind and nature, says Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the… Read more »
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South Africa: Rooibos - South Africa's Wonder Tea or Just a Regular Brew?
Daily Maverick, 27 April 2021
Rooibos is grown exclusively in the Cederberg mountains in South Africa and is known worldwide for being caffeine-free and filled with antioxidants. Yet, it has also fuelled many… Read more »
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Africa: Why It Pays to Link Products to Places - and How African Countries Can Do It
The Conversation Africa, 22 February 2021
Around the world, people commonly associate certain foods and products with particular geographical areas. These products are known for characteristics like aroma, flavour, and the… Read more »
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South Africa: A Cup of Rooibos Tea Empowers Communities
SAnews.gov.za, 1 November 2019
The Khoi Khoi and San communities are set to benefit from the industry-wide benefit-sharing agreement (BSA) for traditional knowledge associated with Rooibos. Read more »
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South Africa: Plant Matter - How Rooibos Brought Justice to SA's Indigenous
Daily Maverick, 1 November 2019
An industry-wide agreement under the UN's Nagoya Protocol has just recognised the claim of five Khoisan groups to their heritage. This is more than any South African government has… Read more »
EU Grants South African Rooibos Tea Champagne-Level Status
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Ivan Meyer has welcomed the announcement that the European Commission has approved the registration of the designation 'Rooibos'/'Red Bush' in its Register of Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications. This effectively grants the local tea an exclusive status in global trade.
"It means in practice that we have the same designation as products like Champagne and Port [wine] and so on, which simply is the protection of a name. Nobody else may use the name Rooibos," said Martin Bergh, Chairperson of the SA Rooibos Council. "Rooibos is one of the most iconic products of the Western Cape, and its inclusion in the EU's Geographical Indication Register will signal its unique quality to consumers, not only in Europe but all over the world."
The registration will also allow South Africa's Rooibos industry to use the European Union (EU) logo - which is well-recognised by consumers in Europe. In addition, the use of the logo will indicate the value of Rooibos as a unique and exclusive product.
