WFFC-UK Seminar

Thursday 28th February 2008
Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, London

Joseph Tomusange, REACH Coordinator at R C Treatt gave us a simplified overview of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of CHemicals Manufactured/Imported into the EU in quantities of 1 tonne or more). This led to many questions and many people thinking about the amount of work and costs involved in preparing for REACH. Joseph recommended pre-registering everything from 1 June 2008 and this is free! There is help for companies setting up REACH. REACH Ready are available to help answer questions and are a ‘one stop shop’ on all matters relating to REACH. Joseph gave a very good example of Treatt’s approach to REACH. It was very apparent he has a thorough understanding of REACH and was able to share this with us. Implications of REACH are that companies involved will require very good communication, plus there are big issues of confidentiality and costs. This could lead to mega consortia being established and it is all going to get quite complicated. Could the costs of REACH be an unknown quantity?

Hugo Bovill, Managing Director, R C Treatt gave us very entertaining stories of essential oil production in East, Central and Southern Africa with photographs and film clips. His talk was set out like a tour and his passion for and knowledge of this industry was evident with family connections going back many years.

Ethiopia supplies/processes Myrrh, Frankincense, Ginger Root, Opoponax, Khat (a hallucinogenic drug), Sweet Orange Oil.

Uganda supplies/processes Geranium and Vanilla is a major crop.

Burundi supplies/processes Patchouli. Lake Tanganyika is key to trade with boats taking goods out of Burundi.

Zambia supplies/processes Eucalyptus, Geranium Mawah, Clary Sage, Rosemary, Lemongrass. The Shiwa Estate in Northern Zambia has conducted trials in different essential oils over the years and has a comprehensive library and archive of documents relating to the essential oil business. This interesting estate is written about in the book ‘The Africa House’ by Christina Lamb.

Tanzania and Zanzibar supplies/processes Clove, Eugenol, Bitter Orange, Sandalwood, Muhuhu.

Kenya supplies/processes Tea Tree, Tagetes, Lavender, Rosemary, Cedarwood, Artemisia (drug used in treatment against malaria), Pyrethrum (insecticide), Tea, Eucalyptus, Geranium Mawah.

South Africa grows/processes Buchu.

There are many opportunities for organic oils from Africa going forwards.

A big thank you to Joseph Tomusange and Hugo Bovill for their talks.

Leanne Capleton

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