Yaqona operators in Fiji would be required to be registered and licensed by the proposed Fiji Yaqona Council under the Yaqona (Kava) Bill 2026.
The Bill, tabled in Parliament yesterday, gives the proposed Council wide-ranging functions covering the cultivation, processing, transportation, marketing and export of yaqona.
A key responsibility of the Council would be to “register and licence Yaqona operators” as part of a new regulatory framework for the industry.
The Council would also be required to develop and implement initiatives, guidelines and standards regulating the cultivation, processing and transportation of yaqona, as well as its international trade and marketing.
It would be tasked with ensuring yaqona grown in and exported from Fiji meets regional and global quality standards.
The proposed Council would also formulate and implement certification and quality standards covering the cultivation, production, processing and marketing of yaqona.
Under the Bill, the Council could recommend fees and charges to the Minister for approval, including fees relating to registration and industry programmes.
It would work with relevant government departments, institutions and other stakeholders on matters affecting the yaqona industry, including assisting with the development and implementation of government policies.
The Council would also be responsible for developing research plans for the industry and improving capacity and efficiency across yaqona cultivation, production, processing, transportation and marketing.
It could facilitate funding assistance for research and marketing and gather and distribute information relevant to the industry.
Another key role would be advising or making recommendations to the Minister on matters relating to the yaqona sector.
The Council could also perform other functions assigned to it by the Minister.
The proposed registration and licensing regime forms part of the Bill’s wider attempt to establish a formal regulatory and management framework for Fiji’s yaqona industry.
