Avoiding a ban such as that imposed in Germany in the early 2000s and instilling confidence in an increasing global market are two of the key reasons for the quality standards being developed for Pacific kava.
The governments of Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu have partnered with the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access programme, or PHAMA, to develop the these standards.
The new initiative will also include the development of manuals that explain production methods, cost-effective testing methods and a push to establish more kava nurseries.
Deputy Team Leader of the PHAMA programme Semy Siakimotu spoke to Tim Glasgow about the new standards.
Listen to the podcast or read the transcript at RNZ.