Tea Board completes registration of UK, Germany traders

The Tea Board has completed the process of registering traders in the UK and Germany to market Darjeeling tea but it has to wait for some more time till the tea gets its geographical exclusivity recognition in Europe. Darjeeling tea is protected under the GI norms in the UK and Germany, which are its major importers. In other European nations, the tea has received only the "community collective mark" that provides some protection about its exclusivity but not a full-proof one. "The online registration of traders in the UK and Germany has been completed. But we are yet to get protected geographical indication (GI) recognition from the European Commission," a senior Tea Board official said.All traders are required to register themselves with the Tea Board to undertake business in Darjeeling tea. All exporters of the Darjeeling tea and all of 87 producers have been registered with the Board in India.