SMALL yaqona farmers must not be subjected to the same regulatory requirements as large commercial exporters, Opposition MP Premila Kumar has warned.
During the debate on the second reading of the Yaqona (Kava) Bill 2026 in Parliament recently, Mrs Kumar said while the Opposition supported protecting and developing the industry, the proposed regulatory framework must not place unnecessary burdens on farmers.
“Our yaqona industry is built from the ground up by smallholders,” she said.
“A farmer who sells a small quantity of yaqona to meet household expenses should not face the same regulatory burden as a large commercial exporter handling international consignments.”
Mrs Kumar said the Bill had several merits, including establishing a permanent regulator, strengthening quality standards and linking export licensing with biosecurity, food safety, customs and quarantine requirements.
However, she questioned whether farmers would have sufficient clarity about registration requirements, fees and other obligations before the law took effect.
“For a farmer, the practical question is: What exactly must I do to comply with the law, and what will it cost me?
“The answer should be clear from the beginning. Farmers should not have to wait for regulations to discover their obligations.”
She also raised concerns about penalties for operating without registration or breaching regulations, saying the Bill appeared to lack a clear system of warnings or graduated penalties for minor or first-time breaches.
“A good regulatory system should distinguish between deliberate misconduct and an honest mistake by a farmer who is trying to comply.”
Mrs Kumar urged the Government to ensure registration was simple, affordable and accessible, with appropriate arrangements for smallholders and larger commercial operators.
“We should regulate risk, not simply regulate everyone in the same way.”
