THE inclusion of ‘Rooibos’/’Red Bush’ on the EU register of protected designation of origin (PDO) list makes way for other indigenous species including Buchu and Aloe Ferox to also be indicated as PDOs and reap similar rewards.
The European Commission’s registration of Rooibos has been hailed as the iconic local brand joins Champagne, Irish Whiskey, Porto, Queso Manchego and other products already registered.
According to a statement released by the EU delegation to South Africa, Rooibos is the first African food to receive the status.
The decision by the EU means that the name ‘Rooibos’ or ‘Red Bush’ can only refer to the dried leaves of 100% pure ‘Rooibos’ derived from Aspalathus linearis that has been cultivated or wild-harvested in designated local municipalities of the Western and Northern Cape provinces.
The registration will also allow South Africa’s Rooibos industry to use the EU logo.
EU ambassador to South Africa, Dr Riina Kionka, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that solid trade relations are critical to ensuring the continuous and uninterrupted supply of safe, nutritious, affordable and sustainable food as well as to providing essential income and jobs along food value chains. This is why South Africa and EU preferential trade relations are so important.
“These relations include the protection of geographical indications which enable a stronger connection between unique local food products and European consumer tastes. Geographical indications offer a valuable competitive advantage that is difficult to erode.”
SA Rooibos Council legal director Dawie de Villiers said inclusion in the EU register was a “big win” for the Rooibos industry and South Africa.
The registration would go a long way towards sustaining the Rooibos industry, he said.
Increased recognition would contribute to the preservation of traditional knowledge and further uplift small-scale farmers in the indigenous communities producing Rooibos, De Villiers added.
“As an industry we recognise the close connection between Rooibos, the area where it grows, as well as the community and their traditions. Our goal is to protect, support and promote the sustainability of not only Rooibos, but the rich heritage of the industry as a whole, which is why we so doggedly pursued the registration.
"Rooibos also forms part of SA’s rich biodiversity, and we believe that the registration will make way for other indigenous species, such as Buchu and Aloe Ferox, to also be indicated as PDOs and reap similar rewards,” said De Villiers.