The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) is the Peak Industry Body for the Australian Beekeeping Industry in Australia, representing honey producers, packers, pollinators, queen bee breeders, and equipment manufacturers and suppliers.
AHBIC has recently provided funding to the Australian Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) to assist in its objectives of protecting and promoting the global appeal and awareness of Australian Manuka honey.
Trevor Weatherhead, Executive Director of AHBIC, said "At present, a New Zealand group is trying to trade mark the term ‘Manuka Honey’ globally. The suggestion that only honey from New Zealand can be described as ‘Manuka’ is not credible and is strongly refuted by the Australian honey industry". He added "Leptospermum scoparium is believed to have originated from Tasmania. Since beekeeping was introduced into Australia, we have had a long history of producing and selling Manuka from Australia for many years"
With over 80 species, Australia is home to the largest diversity of Leptospermum plants in the world while New Zealand has only one species (Leptospermum scoparium). Native Leptospermum plants are found throughout Australia.
AMHA Chairman, Paul Callander, commented "We would much prefer to work with New Zealand in partnership than argue about a descriptive term. As long as Australia is allowed to use the term ‘Australian Manuka’, we have no issues and would work with New Zealand to co-fund a global marketing campaign regarding the health benefits of Manuka from both Australia and New Zealand".
Protecting and promoting the global appeal and awareness of
Australian Manuka honey. ---
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