Call to protect SA’s biltong heritage
The growing popularity of biltong internationally could prompt SA and the region to consider protecting the product’s heritage.
This would include its production standards and identity through geographical or intellectual-property laws, similar to those imposed on other products like Rooibos or Champagne.
This is the feedback from Charl de Villiers, chair of the Game Meat Industry Association of SA (Gamesa) and CEO of Libstar.
In an interview with CapeTalk, he said biltong had already established itself as a global product, but that its SA roots should be protected as it expands into international markets.
'Yes, biltong definitely has grown globally. It’s obviously linked to SA. Everybody knows that biltong comes from SA,’ said De Villiers.
BusinessTech reports that he said the international growth of biltong was significant for the meat industry, although SA’s current foot-and-mouth outbreak has made it difficult to export the meat in the form familiar to SA consumers.
‘That being said, it’s definitely worth looking at protecting it,’ he said.
De Villiers said biltong was distinct from other dried-meat products such as beef jerky because of how it is produced.
‘Biltong and jerky are probably the products that are most popular worldwide. They differ in the way they are made,’ he said.
De Villiers pointed to Champagne as an example of how geographical protection can preserve the origin and reputation of a product.
However, he conceded that biltong presents a more complicated case because it is also produced outside SA, particularly in Namibia.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
