FIJI PUSHES FOR INCLUSION OF KAVA IN EU MARKET
As part of efforts to support Fiji’s agriculture sector, Fiji yesterday requested the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States to support the inclusion of Kava or Yaqona in the new ACP Commodity Programme.
Launched in 2015, the ACP-EU Commodities Programme (CP) is designed to improve the competitiveness of small agriculture through regional integration of markets and the intensification of production.
The programme also seeks to encourage greater access to value chain information services and finance, as well as to risk management instruments, particularly with regards to climate and market risks.
Fijian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security, Inia Seruiratu made the remarks at the 2019 ACP Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels this week, where he urged ACP member states to support Fiji’s request to enable the export of kava and kava products into the EU market.
“’We call on the EU to match the flexibility demonstrated by the ACP states and to support the ACP commodities initiative, including adequate resourcing for kava initiatives, based on the integrated approach with a view to developing further our vulnerable small island states’’, Minister Seruiratu said.
Minister Seruiratu delivered his remarks on behalf of the Pacific region.
