Manuka Honey Dispute Working Group Set Up

Radio New Zealand, 6/24/2009

Representatives of the honey industry have agreed to form a working group to try to resolve a conflict that's threatening the international reputation of manuka honey and the export trade.

Manuka sells for a significantly higher price than other honeys because of unique antibacterial properties.

But a disagreement over labelling and testing standards has divided the industry.

Manuka honey producers and exporters, government officials and two cabinet ministers met on Tuesday afternoon. The working group is the outcome…

Bee Industry Standards Council chair Jim Edwards says the participants agreed that there has to be a solid scientific basis for whatever standards are used to define the active properties of manuka honey. He says that then needs to be built into a marketing strategy…