news, local-news, Nicola Charles, Blue Hills Honey, Lyndsay Bourke, Manuka honey brand
Local beekeepers are struggling on several fronts, as the ‘manuka’ honey brand name legal fights drag on. Award winning producer Nicola Charles of Blue Hills Honey said she was concerned about how the dispute was affecting the public, the cost to the industry, and market unfairness. “The consumers are getting confused,” she said. “It’s been very bad for the manuka brand. “The only winners are the lawyers. This money could be better spent to promote the market and research the product.” The legal battle started with a New Zealand group applying for sole use of the word ‘manuka’ in overseas markets. Some countries have upheld the New Zealanders’ claim and others have rejected it, meaning both Australian and New Zealand beekeepers have had to fund appeals. On top of the brand scrap, which beekeepers have had to fund themselves, they are also angry the honey market is not a level playing field across the ditch. Tasmanian Beekeepers Association president Lyndsay Bourke said he was concerned about the amount of New Zealand honey branded ‘manuka’ coming into Australia. “The world know Tasmania produces the best honey in the world. Read more: Public forums on deer management changes “There’s only three of us who produce manuka honey in Tasmania, and we produce over 100 tonnes a year. “Australia tests every bit of honey that comes in, except from New Zealand because they have a special arrangement and we don’t test any of it, and that is wrong.” Mr Bourke said Australia didn’t export a single tonne of honey to New Zealand but imported 1000 tonnes every year. “It’s not a level playing field.” Mrs Charles agreed, saying she was concerned about the quality of manuka honey appearing on Australian shop shelves. “I think there should be some testing on some products that are going to hit customers. The Australian government should step in and do something there.” She said the brand war had generated a lot of bitterness with the New Zealanders. “The ramifications are financial, because the beekeepers have had to fund this. “The Australian Association has launched a gofundme page. They have to rely on private donations.” The market in the USA alone is expected to be worth USD2160 million by 2025, with China being an even larger customer. While you’re with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates and daily headlines direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
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Award winning producer Nicola Charles of Blue Hills Honey said she was concerned about how the dispute was affecting the public, the cost to the industry, and market unfairness.
“The consumers are getting confused,” she said. “It’s been very bad for the manuka brand.
“The only winners are the lawyers. This money could be better spent to promote the market and research the product.”
Some countries have upheld the New Zealanders’ claim and others have rejected it, meaning both Australian and New Zealand beekeepers have had to fund appeals.
On top of the brand scrap, which beekeepers have had to fund themselves, they are also angry the honey market is not a level playing field across the ditch.
SOUR OVER DISPUTE: Blue Hills Honey’s Nicola Charles says the lengthy legal fight over use of the brand name ‘manuka’ has made many beekeepers bitter. Picture: Brodie Weeding
Tasmanian Beekeepers Association president Lyndsay Bourke said he was concerned about the amount of New Zealand honey branded ‘manuka’ coming into Australia.
“The world know Tasmania produces the best honey in the world.
“There’s only three of us who produce manuka honey in Tasmania, and we produce over 100 tonnes a year.
The Australian government should step in and do something there.
Blue Hills Honey owner Nicola Charles
“Australia tests every bit of honey that comes in, except from New Zealand because they have a special arrangement and we don’t test any of it, and that is wrong.”
Mr Bourke said Australia didn’t export a single tonne of honey to New Zealand but imported 1000 tonnes every year.
“It’s not a level playing field.”
BITTER BUZZ: Local commercial beekeepers are trying to swat off a legal fight, lower prices and and consumer confusion as the brand name war over the word ‘manuka’ drags on. Here, a NW backyard beekeeper keeps her bees buzzing. Picture: Leah McBey
Mrs Charles agreed, saying she was concerned about the quality of manuka honey appearing on Australian shop shelves.
“I think there should be some testing on some products that are going to hit customers. The Australian government should step in and do something there.”
She said the brand war had generated a lot of bitterness with the New Zealanders.
“The ramifications are financial, because the beekeepers have had to fund this.
“The Australian Association has launched a gofundme page. They have to rely on private donations.”
The market in the USA alone is expected to be worth USD2160 million by 2025, with China being an even larger customer.
While you’re with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates and daily headlines direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
