Feni makers on high as spirit gets GI tag

Goa's famed alcoholic beverage Feni has been granted geographical indication (GI) tag which gives local producers exclusive brand protection rights.     

As per the information available with the geographical indication registry office, under the jurisdiction of the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trade Marks, feni has been registered under class 33, which deals with alcoholic beverages (except beers).     

Geographical indication is an indication which identifies a product as originating from a particular geographical area, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is attributable to its geographical  origin.     

The Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association and The Department of Science, Technology & Environment of the Goa government had jointly sought the GI tag for feni, which is made from juice of the cashew apple.    

 

"GI protection for feni will ensure that though others might try to copy the spirit but they cannot call it feni and surf on the brand equity built up by Goa," Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association President Mac Vaz told PTI.     

The association feels GI tag would benefit the feni industry in the state, though cashew fruit is amply available in neighbouring states as well as across the world.     

"We are planning to file applications in some other countries, including European Union for the GI status of feni," Goa government's Department of Science, Technology & Environment Director Michael D'souza said.

India is a member of WTO's rules on intellectual property (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, or TRIPS) and as of its obligations, the country has passed its own GI Act, which contains a registration system.     

According to one estimate, about 40,000 people are involved in feni industry Goa directly or indirectly, which includes distillers, bottlers and farmers.      

The production logistics of the cottage industry in Goa begins when the cashew fruit is harvested in February or March and the process of making feni is complete by end of May.     

According to association, nearly 2,000 small distills are set up during the season. The price of feni varies between Rs 60 to Rs 800.     

Although, the present tag has been granted only for feni produced from cashew apple juice but, according to association, within the application there is a provision made to file a separate additional application for coconut feni.      

Coconut feni is made from the sap of the coconut palm.     

Further, after getting the GI tag in the country, the state government now wants to register feni on some other countries for the same as it will help the brand to be global.     

The GI tag has been awarded to a number of products or goods, including the famous Darjeeling Tea and Madhubani Paintings.