kava

Kalsakau made the comments during a speech at the end of the country's domestic rugby competition on Monday.

He told the rugby players to raise the standard of Vanuatu rugby.

Vanuatu is currently ranked 108th according to World Rugby.

The SPC and the International Trade Commission says the project, known as "ACP-Business Friendly", promotes and builds on farming practices that promote sustainable production.

It aims to help ni-Vanuatu and Papua New Guinean farmers to absorb economic shocks and attract investments.

Programme Manager Sadiq Syed said the programme facilitates productive value chain alliances and improves access to global markets.

This comes amid revelations that there are plans in Queensland to grow kava, which up to now has been banned, as a crop and as an import, in Australia.

"I wish to say to Australia, our friend, don't grow kava. Do not allow kava to grow in Australia commercially, make it illegal but make it legal for us to export Vanuatu kava to you. That is the request of Vanuatu and other Pacific Islands," Mr Regenvanu said.

He said if Australia grows kava there will be a large market but Vanuatu has not much quantity to export.

South Seas Commodities (SSC) has partnered with the Australia and New Zealand supported Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Plus Program to improve quality management systems of the production and processing of its kava products. 

Sealing the deal, SSC Director Michael Louze said the partnership supports their commitment to improving product quality and ensuring food safety by obtaining a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification.

Regional Codex member countries have come together to discuss, conclude and adopt the draft standard to go before Codex Commission in Rome to be declared a global tradeable commodity.

The Codex Alimentarius or the “Food code’ is a set of standards developed by FAO and WHO to help nations protect their consumer health and ensure fair practices in trade.

The FijiKava Limited facility opened in Levuka last week.

Company founder Zane Yoshida said the new facility would standardise and improve the quality of kava in the country.

With increased demand from Europe and the United States, Fiji must explore every opportunity to protect kava as a true Fijian product, he said

Mr Yoshida, who hails from Levuka, said the mass production of disease-free kava plants with desirable traits would take place at the laboratory.

Vanuatu has signed a deal with China for a feasibility study on a small port and a connecting road on the island.

The move comes as the US continues to warn of the increasing Chinese influence in the region.

Last year Vanuatu refuted claims that it was discussing the possibility of a Chinese naval base in the country.

Mr. Reganvanu pointed out the latest development is simply to aid the domestic kava trade.

Australia currently allows two kilograms per person, but the government is considering doubling that to four.

In submissions to Australia's Office of Drug Control, Fiji's government proposed a quota of 10 kilograms per person, while Vanuatu suggested 15.

The director general of Vanuatu's foreign affairs department, Kalfau Kaloris, said he didn't believe 4 kilograms was enough - particularly if it's to be used at a large ceremony.

Australia's restrictions on kava are driven by concerns about its misuse in remote communities.

Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa are working to adhere to an international food standard for their kava products.

The Codex Alimentarius Quality Standard is set by the World Health Organisation and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation.

It sets guidelines on the safety, quality and fairness of food trade.

The Vanuatu scientist and kava expert Vincent Lebot said following the standard would protect the health reputation of kava.

He said bans on kava in Europe and Australia were due to misunderstandings on what it was and how it was used.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reports it's no longer a crime to possess or consume kava in Poland although it's still illegal to sell it.

The traditional Pacific drink had previously been banned in some European countries over health fears.

Mr Regenvanu said the law change came in time for the upcoming climate talks in Poland and his delegation would have to take kava with them.