Boost for TT cocoa

Trinitaro Cocoa may soon be as uniquely branded as French champagne or Scottish whiskey, the statement suggested.

The Ministry’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has worked with the Montserrat Cocoa Farmers Co-operative Society Limited through law firm, Fitzwilliam Stone Furness-Smith & Morgan, to file the first application for a geographical indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications Act, Chap. 82:78. This is also the first GI application for cocoa in CARICOM.

“The Ministry is pleased to announce that on 17th February, 2017 the first GI was filed in Trinidad and Tobago by the Montserrat Cocoa Farmers Co-operative Society for cocoa beans originating in the Montserrat Hills, Gran Couva. Trinitario cocoa has an international reputation as a fine-flavoured cocoa and is coveted worldwide by renowned chocolatiers.” The World Intellectual Property Organization, (“WIPO”) said a GI is a mark used to identify a good coming from a specific locale with a unique quality, reputation or characteristic attributable to that geographical area, such as Champagne, Darjeeling Tea, Scotch Whiskey and Roquefort Cheese.

“The registration of a GI provides for significant benefits. GIs not only attract a higher price premium in the local, regional and international markets but also contribute to country branding and enhancement of a country’s reputation. GIs also promote and enhance rural development, local culture and traditions. As such, Trinidad and Tobago stands to benefit substantially from the registration of GIs.” Recognizing the benefits of GIs, the IPO has actively engaged the local cocoa, honey and pepper industries. The IPO hosted a One Day Workshop on GIs on February 9 to sensitize stakeholders on GIs and the types of intellectual property protection available for their products. Participants included representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, MCFCSL, Trinidad and Tobago Bee-keepers’ Association, Cocoa Research Centre (University of the West Indies (UWI), Carmel Valley Estate, Vista Dora Estate, Ortinola Estate, All Trinidad and Tobago Agricultural Co-operative Society Limited and Westland for Green.

This Workshop preceded a recent workshop on GI’s held by WIPO and the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) and its project REACH for Caricom countries on February 14 to 16 at the UWI, St. Augustine. “The IPO is optimistic that the first GI application for cocoa beans in Trinidad and Tobago and the English-speaking Caribbean, will pave the road for other GI applications in the near future. The Office remains committed to assisting applicants in this regard.”