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Kava Act 2002

Commencement:22 September 2008


REPUBLIC OF VANUATU


KAVA ACT
NO 7 OF 2002


Arrangement of Sections


PART 1 - INTERPRETATION


1 Definitions


PART 2 – PROTECTION OF KAVA IN VANUATU


2 Organic cultivation
3 Varieties of kava and kava products for sale on local market
4 Labeling for local market
5 Who can sell kava or kava products on the local market?


PART 3 – PROTECTION OF KAVA FOR EXPORT


6 Varieties of kava and kava products for export
7 Labeling for export
8 Who can export kava or kava products?
9 Additional export protections


PART 4 - MISCELLANEOUS


10 Offence
11 Inspection powers etc
12 Regulations and orders
13 Commencement


Schedule


--------------------------------------------------------


REPUBLIC OF VANUATU


Assent: 31/12/2002
Commencement: 22/09/2008


KAVA ACT
NO 7 OF 2002


An Act to regulate the cultivation, sale and export of kava and kava products


Be it enacted by the President and Parliament as follows-


PART 1 - INTERPRETATION


1 Definitions


In this Act unless the contrary intention appears:


kava means:


(a) plants of the species, Piper methysticum; or

(b) the traditional beverage obtained by cold water extraction of the plant’s underground organs.

kava products include dried kava, bark, peelings and makas of kava.


makas means the residues remaining after the cold water extraction of the kava plant’s underground organs to obtain the traditional beverage.


medicinal kava means a variety of kava listed in Table 2 of the Schedule and includes their synonyms on other islands.


Minister means the Minister responsible for agriculture.


nobles kava means a variety of kava listed in Table 1 of the Schedule and includes their synonyms on other islands.


organic means free of artificial fertilizers, pesticides and other residues.


person includes any statutory body, company or association of persons corporate or unincorporate.


two days kava means a variety of kava listed in Table 3 of the Schedule and includes their synonyms on other islands.


wichmannii kava means a variety of kava listed in Table 4 of the Schedule and includes their synonyms on other islands.


PART 2 – PROTECTION OF KAVA IN VANUATU


2 Organic cultivation


A person is to cultivate kava in Vanuatu using only organic methods of cultivation.


3 Varieties of kava and kava products for sale on local market


(1) A person must not sell kava, or offer kava for sale, in Vanuatu unless it is nobles kava or medicinal kava that:


(a) was planted at least 3 years before it was harvested; and

(b) was cultivated using organic methods of cultivation.

(2) A person must not sell kava products, or offer kava products for sale, in Vanuatu unless they have been produced from nobles kava or medicinal kava that:


(a) was planted at least 3 years before it was harvested; and

(b) was cultivated using organic methods of cultivation.

(3) To avoid doubt, a person must not sell or offer for sale in Vanuatu any of the following:


(a) wichmannii kava;

(b) two days kava;

(c) kava products produced from wichmannii kava or two days kava, whether or not in combination with any other variety of kava.

(4) Nothing in this Act is to be taken to prevent a person from cultivating any variety of kava for personal use.


4 Labelling for local market


A person must not sell or offer for sale in Vanuatu any bag, container or other receptacle containing kava or kava products unless the name of the variety and the island of origin of the kava is clearly marked on it.


5 Who can sell kava or kava products on the local market?


A person must not sell or offer for sale in Vanuatu kava or kava products unless the person is:


(a) an indigenous ni-Vanuatu; or

(b) a local company within the meaning of the Companies Act [CAP 191] that has at least 51% of its shares (voting or otherwise) owned or controlled by persons who are indigenous ni-Vanuatu.

PART 3 – PROTECTION OF KAVA FOR EXPORT


6 Varieties of kava and kava products for export


(1) A person must not export kava from Vanuatu unless it is nobles kava that:

(2) A person must not export kava products from Vanuatu unless they have been produced from nobles kava that:

(3) Subject to subsection (4), a person must not export any of the following from Vanuatu:

(4) A person may export from Vanuatu:

only if the person has been requested to do so by a person outside Vanuatu and the proposed export complies with the requirements of the Plant Protection Act No. 14 of 1997 and any other relevant Act.


7 Labelling for export


A person must not export from Vanuatu any bag, container or other receptacle containing kava or kava products unless each of the following is clearly marked on it:


(a) the name of the variety of the kava;

(b) the island of origin of the kava;

(c) the distinct organs of the kava;

(d) the words “Original Vanuatu Kava”.

8 Who can export kava or kava products?


(1) A person must not export kava or kava products from Vanuatu unless the person is:


(a) a citizen of Vanuatu; or

(b) a local company within the meaning of the Companies Act [CAP 191] that has at least 51% of its shares (voting or otherwise) owned or controlled by persons who are citizens of Vanuatu.

(2) This section does not apply to an individual or company if immediately before the commencement of this section that individual or company was legally entitled under or by any Act or subordinate legislation to export from Vanuatu kava or kava products.


9 Additional export protections


A person must not export from Vanuatu or exchange with a person outside Vanuatu any of the following:


(a) stumps, shoots, growing buds, lateral branches and other planting materials of kava;

(b) fresh organs of kava (eg roots or stumps) that could be used for propagation;

(c) other propagating materials of kava.

PART 4 - MISCELLANEOUS


10 Offence


A person who contravenes a provision of this Act is guilty of an offence punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding VT 500,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 months, or both.


  1. Inspection powers etc

For the purposes of ensuring compliance with this Act, an officer appointed under section 9 of the Plant Protection Act No. 14 of 1997 may exercise any of the powers set out in section 14 of that Act in relation to kava or kava products (eg an officer can inspect a local farmer’s kava crop and test for pesticides).


  1. Regulations and orders

(1) The Minister may make regulations prescribing all matters:


(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or


(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.


(2) The Minister may by order amend the Schedule.


13 Commencement


This Act commences on the day on which it is published in the Gazette.


SCHEDULE

Section 1


Table 1
Nobles kava


Item
Variety
Origin
1
Melomelo
Ambae
2
Asiyai
Biyaj
Aneityum
3
Palimet
Miela
Olitao
Emae
4
Kelai
Epi
5
Ge wiswisket
Ge gusug
Gaua
6
Borogoru
Maewo
7
Silese
Malekula
8
Melmel
Borogu
Sese
Pentecost
9
Urukara
Bir Sul
Bir Kar
Palarasul
Palasa
Poivota
Santo
10
Pia
Ahouia
Leay
Amon
Tanna
11
Puariki
Pualiu
Tongoa
12
Naga miwok
Ge vemea
Vanua Lava

Table 2
Medicinal kava


Item
Variety
Origin
1
Mologugei
Ambae East
2
Ngwangaru
Ambae East
3
Bisuiboe
Ambae West
4
Mavute
Ambae West
5
Ketche
Aneityum
6
Mokom
Aneityum
7
Riki
Aneityum
8
Oleikaro
Emae
9
Pualapa
Emae
10
Ulutao
Emae
11
Bagavia 1
Epi
12
Bagavia 2
Epi
13
Meoler
Epi
14
Pakaewa
Epi
15
Purumbue
Epi
16
Tinbokai
Epi
17
Liki
Erromango
18
Pic
Erromango
19
Pore
Erromango
20
Bumalotu
Maewo North
21
Hawerara
Maewo North
22
Malokai
Maewo North
23
Raimelmelo
Maewo North
24
Resres
Maewo North
25
Maloglelab
Malekula North East
26
Maloglaslas
Malekula North East
27
Nemleu
Malekula North East
28
Tafandai
Malekula North West
29
Baan
Malekula North West
30
Daou
Malekula North West
31
Tapoka
Malo
32
Hig
Mere Lava
33
Lab
Mota Lava
34
Nagame
Mota Lava
35
Loa
Nguna
36
Malakesa
Nguna
37
Pilake
Nguna
38
Meihang
Paama
39
Teiha
Paama
40
Toh
Paama
41
Borogu tememe
Pentecost Central
42
Bukulit
Pentecost Central
43
Borogu temit
Pentecost Central
44
Borogoru maita
Pentecost North
45
Borogoru memea
Pentecost North
46
Vabugai
Pentecost North
47
Bugolita
Pentecost North
48
Gorogoro entepal
Pentecost South
49
Gorogoro entemet
Pentecost South
50
Kerakra
Pentecost South
51
Tamaevo
Pentecost South
52
Aigen
Tanna Central
53
Mita
Tanna Central
54
Saosao
Tanna Central
55
Tuan
Tanna Central
56
Kiskisnian
Tanna Central
57
Yalon
Tanna Central
58
Awor
Tanna Central
59
Malamala
Tanna Central
60
Paama
Tanna Central
61
Wapil
Tanna Central
62
Pusan
Tanna South East
63
Marangmarang
Tanna South East
64
Kokoffe
Tanna South East
65
Kowariki
Tanna South East
66
Malamala
Tanna South East
67
Paama
Tanna South East
68
Ewo
Tongoa
69
Metolei
Tongoa
70
Tau
Tongoa
71
Nimau
Tongoa
72
Bualap
Tongoariki
73
Buarik
Tongoariki
74
Milake
Tongoariki
75
Ngako
Ureparapara
76
Ngasien
Ureparapara
77
Nol
Ureparapara
78
Gemime
Vanua Lava
79
Ranranre
Vanua Lava

Table 3
Two days kava


Item
Variety
Origin
1
Gawoboe
Ambae East
2
Ronriki
Ambae East
3
Tarivoravora
Ambae East
4
Valeiboe
Ambae East
5
Qoro
Ambae East
6
Sulusulu
Ambae East
7
Ganono
Ambae East
8
Garaeto
Ambae East
9
Makaru
Ambae East
10
Mologomavute
Ambae East
11
Tarimavute
Ambae East
12
Taritamaewo
Ambae East
13
Memea
Ambae West
14
Mindo
Ambae West
15
Rogorogopula
Ambae West
16
Tolu
Ambae West
17
Tari
Ambae West
18
Tariporo
Ambae West
19
Laklak
Ambrym North
20
Apeg
Aneityum
21
Nisginekrai
Aneityum
22
Tchap
Aneityum
23
Nidinolai
Aneityum
24
Metche
Aneityum
25
Yag
Aneityum
26
Nakasara
Emae
27
Meawmelo
Epi
28
Lo
Epi
29
Mage
Epi
30
Kaviui
Epi
31
Mitiptip
Epi
32
Vila
Epi
33
Wari
Epi
34
Vip
Epi
35
Meawlake
Epi South
36
Meawmeia
Epi South
37
Avia
Erromango
38
Vila
Erromango
39
Gumaito
Maewo North
40
Daumangas
Maewo North
41
Rairairegi
Maewo North
42
Tariparaus
Maewo North
43
Tufagi
Maewo North
44
Tumpuinakapmato
Maewo North
45
Tarihani
Maewo North
46
Rongrongvula
Maewo South
47
Tarivarusi
Maewo South
48
Vabu
Maewo South
49
Mologubanano
Maewo South and Pentecost North
50
Mologubanga
Maewo South and Pentecost North
51
Malokrok
Malekula North East
52
Pade
Malekula North West
53
Malatuwas
Malekula North West
54
Nalimliune
Malekula North West
55
Poua
Malekula North West
56
Vasa
Malo
57
Roge
Malo
58
Namtemlao
Mota Lava
59
Nipunstaban
Mota Lava
60
Tarivarus
Mota Lava
61
Take
Pentecost Central
62
Tabal
Pentecost Central
63
Malmalbo
Pentecost Central
64
Rongrongwul
Pentecost Central
65
Abogae
Pentecost Central
66
Fabulakalaka
Pentecost Central
67
Lalahk
Pentecost Central
68
Renkaru
Pentecost Central
69
Sese
Pentecost North
70
Vabulagaga
Pentecost North
71
Rara
Pentecost North
72
Baraeto
Pentecost North
73
Rabualeva
Pentecost North
74
Kavik
Pentecost North
75
Mangaru
Pentecost North
76
Rongrongvula
Pentecost North
77
Sese laralara
Pentecost North
78
Tarivarusi
Pentecost North
79
Sese
Pentecost South
80
Takere
Pentecost South
81
Lalahk
Pentecost South
82
Tarivarusi
Pentecost South
83
Marino
Santo Central
84
Merei
Santo Central
85
Fock
Santo Central
86
Malogro
Santo Central
87
Thyei
Santo Central
88
Tudey
Santo Central
89
Yevoet
Santo Central
90
Palavoke
Santo South West
91
Pirimerei
Santo West
92
Aheyoke
Santo South West
93
Palisi
Santo West
94
Woko
Santo West
95
Awke
Tanna Central
96
Fare
Tanna Central
97
Kalawas
Tanna Central
98
Tikisikis
Tanna Central
99
Apin
Tanna Central
100
Gnare
Tanna Central
101
Fiji
Tanna Central
102
Pentecost
Tanna Central
103
Rhowen
Tanna Central
104
Tudey
Tanna Central
105
Vila
Tanna Central
106
Apol
Tanna South East
107
Kowarwar
Tanna South East
108
Ring
Tanna South East
109
Tapuga
Tanna South East
110
Pentecost
Tanna South East
111
Tudey
Tanna South East
112
Vila
Tanna South East
113
Oleikaro
Tongoa
114
Raro
Tongoa
115
Nakasara
Tongoa
116
Maet
Tongoariki
117
Elot
Tongoariki
118
Lulu
Tongoariki
119
Hin
Torres
120
Hinyanyie
Ureparapara
121
Ngawo
Ureparapara
122
Tarivarus
Ureparapara
123
Gelava
Vanua Lava
124
Nambalao
Vanua Lava
125
Tarvarus
Vanua Lava
126
Wisabana
Vanua Lava

Table 4
Wichmannii kava


Item
Variety
Origin
1
Vambu
Ambae East
2
Tchai
Aneityum
3
Bamboo
Maewo North
4
Buara
Maewo North
5
Tangurlava
Maewo North
6
Kau
Tongoa
7
Vambu
Vanua Lava
8
Giemonlagakris
Vanua Lava
9
Bogong
Pentecost Central
10
Mele liap
Pentecost Central
11
Sini Bo
Pentecost Central
12
Bogongo
Pentecost North

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