By Madhusha Thavapalakumar
Madagascar has objected to Sri Lanka’s application to the European Union (EU) requesting them to grant Geographical Indication (GI) for the country’s cinnamon as “Ceylon cinnamon”.
Department of Export Agriculture Special Research Director Dr. J.M. Seneviratne told The Sunday Morning Business that these objections were raised by the East African island nation when the EU called for statements of objection recently.
The GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that is attributed to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place. In addition, the qualities, characteristics, or reputation of the product should be essentially due to the place of origin.
Even though calls for objection are still open, Madagascar is the only country that has objected to Sri Lanka’s application so far.
“The objection has been made by the Madagascar authorities on the grounds that ‘Ceylon cinnamon’ is not a variety and they too grow Ceylon cinnamon,” said Dr. Seneviratne.
Outside Sri Lanka, Madagascar is one of the countries where Ceylon cinnamon or so-called “true cinnamon” grows in abundance. While the cinnamon tree is native to Sri Lanka, according to Madagascar Spices Company, it was introduced to Madagascar in the 17th Century by sailors crossing the Indian Ocean on their trading routes and since then, Madagascar has been promoting their cinnamon as “Ceylon cinnamon”.
Scientific names for Madagascar's cinnamon are Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) and Cinnamomum verum (true cinnamon). Partly for historical reasons and partly because of the reference to Ceylon, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum is still today the widely used botanical name for the cinnamon plant.
If Sri Lanka receives the “Ceylon cinnamon” GI, Madagascar cinnamon would face issues promoting their cinnamon as Ceylon cinnamon, as the Ceylon cinnamon with the GI would have higher acceptance and recognition in international markets, The Sunday Morning Business learns.
Nevertheless, Dr. Seneviratne stated that even though Madagascar has Ceylon cinnamon, the cinnamon peeling methods that are used in Sri Lanka are indigenous to the country and when providing the GI, such unique components too are taken into consideration.
“Their objection is vague. We can defend their objection and get the GI,” Dr. Seneviratne expressed with confidence.
Obtaining GI for Sri Lanka’s cinnamon has long been in the pipeline under consecutive governments. Lack of required provisions in the Intellectual Property Act of the country and high costs involved in preparing for GI application are said to be the reasons for the delay.
However, last week, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal by the Ministry of Trade to advise the Legal Draftsman to draft a bill to amend the Intellectual Properties Act of No. 36 of 2003 with the provisions to establish a comprehensive and definite legal framework for the registration of GIs in Sri Lanka.
After obtaining the GI, Ceylon cinnamon can be sold in international markets for much higher prices than at the moment as the country would be able to maintain the traceability and quality of its spices.
“Once the final product reaches the global market with its very unique identity, we will get higher prices for our products. By higher, I mean five to six times higher,” Dr. Seneviratne added.
Madagascar has objected to Sri Lanka’s application to the European Union (EU) requesting them to grant Geographical Indication (GI) for the country’s cinnamon as “Ceylon cinnamon”.
Department of Export Agriculture Special Research Director Dr. J.M. Seneviratne told The Sunday Morning Business that these objections were raised by the East African island nation when the EU called for statements of objection recently.
The GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that is attributed to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place. In addition, the qualities, characteristics, or reputation of the product should be essentially due to the place of origin.
Even though calls for objection are still open, Madagascar is the only country that has objected to Sri Lanka’s application so far.
“The objection has been made by the Madagascar authorities on the grounds that ‘Ceylon cinnamon’ is not a variety and they too grow Ceylon cinnamon,” said Dr. Seneviratne.
Outside Sri Lanka, Madagascar is one of the countries where Ceylon cinnamon or so-called “true cinnamon” grows in abundance. While the cinnamon tree is native to Sri Lanka, according to Madagascar Spices Company, it was introduced to Madagascar in the 17th Century by sailors crossing the Indian Ocean on their trading routes and since then, Madagascar has been promoting their cinnamon as “Ceylon cinnamon”.
Scientific names for Madagascar's cinnamon are Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) and Cinnamomum verum (true cinnamon). Partly for historical reasons and partly because of the reference to Ceylon, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum is still today the widely used botanical name for the cinnamon plant.
If Sri Lanka receives the “Ceylon cinnamon” GI, Madagascar cinnamon would face issues promoting their cinnamon as Ceylon cinnamon, as the Ceylon cinnamon with the GI would have higher acceptance and recognition in international markets, The Sunday Morning Business learns.
Nevertheless, Dr. Seneviratne stated that even though Madagascar has Ceylon cinnamon, the cinnamon peeling methods that are used in Sri Lanka are indigenous to the country and when providing the GI, such unique components too are taken into consideration.
“Their objection is vague. We can defend their objection and get the GI,” Dr. Seneviratne expressed with confidence.
Obtaining GI for Sri Lanka’s cinnamon has long been in the pipeline under consecutive governments. Lack of required provisions in the Intellectual Property Act of the country and high costs involved in preparing for GI application are said to be the reasons for the delay.
However, last week, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal by the Ministry of Trade to advise the Legal Draftsman to draft a bill to amend the Intellectual Properties Act of No. 36 of 2003 with the provisions to establish a comprehensive and definite legal framework for the registration of GIs in Sri Lanka.
After obtaining the GI, Ceylon cinnamon can be sold in international markets for much higher prices than at the moment as the country would be able to maintain the traceability and quality of its spices.
“Once the final product reaches the global market with its very unique identity, we will get higher prices for our products. By higher, I mean five to six times higher,” Dr. Seneviratne added.