The Battle Over Manuka Honey Rights & What It Means for Its Production
Manuka honey is fast becoming one of the biggest commodities in production. From its antibacterial properties to its health benefits, manuka honey is constantly being stocked on the shelves. However, more recently, a battle over the rights to manuka honey has burned into a flaming controversy between Australia and New Zealand. What does it mean for the sale of the precious honey?
Which Country Owns the Rights?
Australia and New Zealand are the only true countries for the manuka bush that grows the flowers for this honey. Nowhere else in the world has the natural roots and creation of the manuka bush. Therefore, the UK Trade Mark Registry had deemed New Zealand the rights to the manuka honey name. Once the Australians Manuka Honey Association heard of this decision, they fired back and hired lawyers to reverse this act. They clearly defined that Australia has over 80 Manuka species and should be allowed to utilize the name manuka honey, wherein New Zealand has just one species of manuka.
If you have noticed the shelf cost of manuka honey going up as of late, it is because of this fight between countries. Australia holds a strong case against New Zealand, stating that the Aussie manuka bush contains very high levels of antibacterial activity. They also claim that New Zealand’s one manuka species had originally migrated to the country from Tasmania, a section of Australia.
Australia does have the official right to object to the official trademark of manuka to New Zealand and they won’t give up easily. The health benefits and pollination of manuka flowers from bees to create the popular honey are far from decreasing. Australia knows the profit and entitlement of procuring the trademark for themselves would be incredibly lucrative while helping them brand manuka honey as an Australian commodity.
Why Battle Over Manuka Honey?
Honey has been around for centuries and has long been used, even in ancient times, in food and skincare. Why is there now such a huge fuss over manuka honey? Only since the nineteenth century has the antibacterial qualities of manuka honey been discovered by scientists studying the substance. Regular honey can be found all over the world and has its use in the long run over manuka.
However, the difference and many types of honey are sometimes little known. The antibacterial element in honey varies from how it is harvested to what pollination was done by the bees to create that specific type of honey. Different honeys have stronger or less antibacterial qualities in it than others. Manuka honey has the highest quality and antibacterial properties out of any type of honey available. Whether you digest it or apply it to your skin, the benefits of it out rank other honey’s by a long shot.
Because of the popularity and market for manuka honey, the battle for the trademark between Australia and New Zealand will set the course of its power around the world. Australian manuka honey dominates over New Zealand in the marketing of the honey, but the latter country is growing more popular. The trademark decision by UK authorities could shift how this honey is exported to other countries.
Wild Natural’s Manuka Honey
No matter how alarming or imprudent this trademark battle is, one thing is for certain: manuka honey will still be a staple product on shelves. The benefits and healing properties of the honey far outweigh any country’s right to the name of it. Wild Natural’s knows the importance and amazing results of manuka honey, which is why there is a whole line of products highlighting it. Skincare with manuka honey has incredible benefits to the protection and hydration of your body, from hair to toes. See all of our manuka honey products on our shop page and you won’t be disappointed by the results – or the price!
