India to seek GI protection for Malabar coffee

New Delhi, Jun 22 (UNI) The Coffee Board will apply for Geographical Indication (GI) patent protection for 'Monsooned Malabar' coffee, that is exclusive to the Malabar region.

Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh, said this while holding discussions with various Commodity Boards to identify products that are region-specific and can be registered with the Geographical Indications (GI) Registry in Chennai.

The Spices Board has identified around 61 varieties for registration, out of which the 'Malabar Pepper' and 'Tellichery Pepper' are in the process of being registered.

The Board is also taking steps to register the 'Alleppey Green Cardamom' and 'Coorg Cardamom' within the next three months.

While highlighting the importance of registering these products peculiar to their region, Mr Ramesh said that the advantage of GI registration is that the products would be certified for their origin, would result in elimination of imitations; and a proper inspection mechanism during the registration process, would ensure quality.

India and Pakistan are in dialogue for jointly filing the GI application for Basmati rice, before the US and European agencies.

At the same time, domestic GI registration by APEDA will also be considered, he said.

APEDA Chairman K S Money highlighted the need for amendments to the APEDA Act, 1985, to empower the authority to enforce quality standards for basmatic rice particularly.

Mr Ramesh was of the view that APEDA should identify mango varieties such as Alphonso that could be taken up for GI registration.

Darjeeling&Kangra Tea have already been registered and the GI consultation process is on for Nilgiris&Assam.

Mr Ramesh was also informed during the meeting that around 21 items of handicrafts from around the country have been identified by the Ahmedabad-based National Institute of Design (NID) that would be taken up for GI registration.

The MOS concluded the meeting by urging the Boards to take care to register only such of those items that have the exclusivity.

Selectivity is essential for maintaining exclusivity.

Chairman, Coffee Board; Chairman, Agriculture&Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA); Controller General of Patents, Designs, Trademarks&Geographical Indications; and representatives of other Boards participated in the discussions.

UNI RA ARB DB1931