He added that there have been several instances in recent times in which European countries have rejected tea from India for high levels of residual content.

The sources said the exact agenda of the forum would be finalised during the discussions. “Despite being such a massive industry, the tea sector is virtually unorganisd when seen from a global perspective. We need to have some sort of regulatory mechanism which will give producer-exporters the right value for their produce,” a source in the Tea Board of India said.

Representatives from the UK, Russia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran and Indonesia have already confirmed their participation in the Guwahati convention.

The convention is being jointly organised by the Tea Board of India, Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations, Indian Merchant Tea Exporters Forum, Federation of All India Tea Traders Association and the South India Tea Exporters Association. The forum will also launch a major advertisement blitz around the world highlighting the benefits of drinking the beverage.

Industry sources conceded that the Inter-Government Group under the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations does exist to voice the grievances of producers of tea and other agro products. But the UN organisation, they claimed, has failed to sufficiently protect the interests of the producers.

Coffee producers have their own International Coffee Organisation and pepper producers have an International Pepper Community, all functioning with the objective of helping the producing and exporting countries. So, it is only natural that tea producers should follow suit.