Cocoa Act (Cap. 139).

This Act provides for the licensing of cocoa fermentaries and dealers, concerns standards and inspection of cocoa intended for exportation and establishes the Cocoa Industries Fund. The Act shall not apply to or in relation to cacao beans used or intended to be used as seed material. No person shall: (a) establish or maintain a fermentary; or (b) carry on business as a cocoa dealer; or (c) carry on business as both cocoa dealer and fermentary operator, without being in possession of a valid license issued by the Director of Agriculture. The Director may endorse any license issued with such conditions and restrictions as he considers appropriate either at the time of issuing the license or at any time thereafter. The standard for Vanuatu Export Cocoa shall be based on accepted international standards and shall be prescribed by the Minister. Cocoa beans intended for export shall be submitted for examination to a Cocoa Inspector who shall issue a certificate in the prescribed manner therefore indicating whether or not the beans are of the prescribed Vanuatu Export Cocoa Standard and mark the bags in the prescribed form. The Fund shall be used for the development of smallholder production of cocoa. Appeal against any decision of the Director made under this Act lies with the Minister. Appeal against any decision of a Cocoa Inspector made under this Act shall be lodged with the Cocoa Appeals Committee established under this Act.