The reputation of manuka honey exports to China will be protected under a new agreement.
The UMF Honey Association, which represents 70% of the manuka honey producers, has reached an agreement with the Entry & Exit Inspection Agency in China, after 18 months of work.
It means laboratory tests currently done in New Zealand will also be carried out in China, to confirm the unique antibacterial activity that sets manuka honey apart from less valuable honey.
Association general manager John Rawcliffe says the aim is to guard against false labelling.
