Rooibos row raises exporters' hackles

Ray Smuts FLUMMOXED and furious Cape rooibos tea producers have called on the government to halt all export shipments to the United States. This is in response to the diconcerting news that an American company has registered the word "rooibos" as a trademark in the US - what they, the producers, have always regarded as a generic or general in-use name. Rooibos Pty, representing about 250 producers, says legal proceedings against the American trademark holder are in an advanced and sensitive stage. International demand for rooibos continues to grow year by year - Germany being a major buyer - as more and more health-conscious consumers become aware of this delicious caffeine-free brew. Volumes exported by Rooibos Pty to about 20 countries including the US amounted to about 1 800 tons in 1999, 2 800 tons in 2000 and 4 000 tons last year, comprising about 40% of the company's production. This spat has much the same overtones as that between South African wine producers and the EU over the use of generic names such as ouzo, port and sherry. It finally came to an end with South Africa agreeing it would phase out such names on its exports within five years and within 12 years on the domestic market.