Darjeeling Tea may become the first agriculture product to get the Geographical Indication (GI) status from the European Commission.
In its efforts to promote Darjeeling Tea in the global market, the Tea Board has applied before the European Commission an for registration of Darjeeling Tea as GI under ECR 510.
Union commerce officials said a tea delegation from India submitted the application in Brussels on November 12.
However, it may take another two years or so before the EU registration would be available.
Again, applications for protection of orthodox teas produced in Assam and Nilgiris in the domestic market had also been submitted to the registry office in Chennai.
It is not possible to obtain international protection without first having secured protection in the country of origin.
The domestic protection for Darjeeling tea was obtained a few years ago.
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