Kava exports are expected to increase significantly with the European Market opening up from 2016.

The Ministry of Agriculture is already preparing for this, with work underway on new strategies and policies to cater for export demand.

Permanent Secretary Uraia Waibuta says this is an opportunity for all Fijians as they’re also working on a Kava Bill to guide the sale of this commodity.

‘’We are first in the process of finalizing the first draft but we need to get back to the stakeholders in terms of consultations, this particular exercise will take place early next year’’.

After the final consultation with all the stakeholders just to try and hear from them some of the improvements or way forward,suggestions on what needs to be done, captured or deleted from the kava bill, once that is done we will take it through the normal government process to cabinet before it is endorsed or approved for implementation.’

Yaqona exports to Europe were banned in 2002 for fears of kava toxicity.

That decision has since been ruled unlawful and inappropriate by one of the highest courts in Germany.

Kava is considered helpful as a relaxant and anti-depressant.