The legal battle continues over what represents a Jamaican rum

Roma is a key part of Jamaica’s cultural identity, but what exactly does Roma Jamaica do?

This question is at the center of a dispute that continues to thunder on the Caribbean island, as some manufacturers want to strengthen the rules for what they can and cannot be called “Jamaica Roma”.

In October last year, the Jamaica Intellectual Property Service (JIPO) approved changes to the geographical indication (GI) for the Jamaican rum, which was originally created in 2016. The biggest change is that the aging of Roma abroad is already prohibited.

The amendment was summoned by the Association of Brass Poles (SPA), the trading organization that seeks to speak as the only voice for the six distilleries of Jamaica – Appleton (which is owned by J Wray and a nephew), Clarendon, Hampden estate, Long Pond, New Yarmouth and Wordy Paper

The SPO argument is that a stronger GI is needed to be officially recognized as the appeal of its two key export markets – the EU and the US.

It states that this would provide Jamaica rum better protection against competitors and lead to more drinkers who recognize it as a first -class product made to high specifications in a particular geographical location.

But the change has caused a lot of movement to Jamaica, as one of the biggest claims for manufacturers will do so from the business.

This company, National Rums of Jamaica (NRJ), owns Long Pond and 73% of Clarendon. The NRJ consists of three shareholders of Jamaica, the demerara Distilators of Guiana and Barbados-based West India Rum Distilia (WIRD).

The key factor is that WIRD from 2017 is owned by the French spirits company Maison Ferrand. His business model relies heavily on rum exports to bulk and aging abroad – something that is not allowed under the new GI of Jamaica.

He claims that Roma outside Jamaica is still a Jamaican rum and that the island has also exported an outdated rum abroad for centuries.

So, NRJ appealed the Jip’s decision, the hearing is scheduled for April 28.

The alcohol pool association says WIRD has begun to have problems with the geographical indication after its ingestion by Maison Ferrard.

“What we say is that if you really believe in Jamaica Rum, you get old in Jamaica,” says Christopher Dentels, General Manager of the Spa Center.

Usually rum is done by fermentation and then distilled molasses with sugar cane, a thick substance that resembles smoothly, after refined sugar is obtained from the collected plants.

G -N Gentles says that the aging of Roma before being sold is of paramount importance and that it is outside Jamaica invalidates the authenticity and uniqueness of the products. So, he adds that “we were a little puzzled” by NRJ’s objection.

The spa also points out that the export and aging of ghosts abroad means that Jamaica misses value -added processes such as refining, bottling, labeling and distribution, as well as other secondary benefits for the local economy such as rum tourism.

Both NRJ and Maison Ferrar have declined to comment.

The use of GIS makes the product distinctive and opens three potential sources in value, according to Dev Gangjee, professor of intellectual property rights at Oxford University.

“The first is just a price premium. Studies show that products can charge a price of 1.5 to 2.7 times more than a standard.”

This is not always reflected in profits, as GI products are often more expensive, he adds.

The second reason is “They anchor production in this region”. This stops a product from becoming generic and losing its value – like a cheddar cheese, which was originally from a particular part of the United Kingdom, but now it has a word for a generalized cheese type.

Finally, Prof. Ganji says GIS helps to advertise the region and “open other aspects of history and geography,” citing the successful French tourism industry.

Examples of successful and long -time GIS are Scotch whiskey, champagne and Parma ham.

Another side of the Caribbean, similarly woven into a GI and RUM dispute, is Barbados. Currently, the island has no scheme.

Barbados has five distilleries and four agreed to the formulation of the proposed Barbados Rum Gi. The only lens was Wird, which has brands like Cockspur.

Like the situation in Jamaica, she objects to the proposed rules against aging abroad.

Barbados’s failure to get GI has disappointed other producers, including Richard Seal, owner of the island’s Foursquare distillery. “We need to have inherent industries that are rooted here, bound here that cannot be separated from here,” he says.

Back in Jamaica, the SPA center wants the country’s rum to apply for the classification of EU protected geographical indications, but this cannot happen until the Jipo production is over.

Gentles hopes that a compromise can be achieved, even if it means that both sides are not completely happy. “My hard I believe we will put it behind us one day,” he says.

And although the spa hopes that a stronger GI will strengthen recognition and business, it is also a pride in a product closely related to the history of Jamaica.

In the days after the October Jamaica newspaper, Gleaner, he approved Jipo’s decision, stating that there are many examples of companies, “without association with Jamaica, which is trying to seize the mysticism of the brand of the island.”

He concluded: “When foreign entities become the owners of unique Jamaica products, there must be a commitment to steadily maintain the integrity of the brand.”