To prevent threat of refuse tea production:

Minister wants formal plan

Shirley Wijesinghe

Plantation Industries Minister D.M. Jayaratne has instructed the relevant sectors in the tea plantation industry to take steps to prevent the threat of refuse tea production impacting on standard Sri Lankan tea.

The Minister pointed out that a formal plan should be declared in respect of the production of refuse tea.

At a recent discussion held at the Ministry with tea exporters, Minister Jayaratne drew their attention on the issue.

“If refuse tea is adulterated with tea for export, it would be a real threat to the standard of quality Sri Lanka Tea,” the Minister said.

Minister Jayaratne said if refused tea is used for production activities in a formal way , it would not be a threat.

The quantity of refuse tea is increased in the production of tea due to crushing of green leaf at transportation and plucking of matured green leaves. Commenting on the issue, the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) said about 275 refused tea producers with licences are scattered throughout the country.

However, granting of licences for production of refuse tea has now been suspended and measures have been taken to round up the refuse tea producers without licences. Generally 10 -12 percent of refused tea is identified as black tea.