Dr. Mathias Schmidt, a German scientist specializing in kava, has asserted that Germany’s kava ban is driven by political motives rather than scientific evidence. In an interview regarding the 24-year-old ban imposed by Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), Dr. Schmidt urged kava-producing countries, including Fiji, to seek support from Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the European Union, noting that the broader scientific community remains unaware of the political basis for the ban.
Dr. Schmidt pointed out that the ban originated in February 2000, following reports of liver toxicity linked to kava extract in Switzerland. He noted that the EU adopted this ban in 2001, primarily due to Germany’s reputation for thoroughness in regulatory matters. However, he argues that in this case, the decision was arbitrary and not well-founded.
He emphasized that many scientists across Europe are unaware that the kava issue is not truly a scientific dilemma but a political one. This belief has been a long-standing conviction for Dr. Schmidt, who claims that kava fell victim to the precautionary principle. He explained that EU regulations place consumer protection in the hands of authorities, which can lead to excessive caution in decision-making.
Dr. Schmidt outlined that authorities often overreact in such scenarios, exacerbated by a substantial media campaign surrounding the ban. He noted that BfArM faced criticism for not adequately addressing a previous health crisis, which may have influenced its response to kava. Instead of dealing with potential media backlash, the organization opted for what it deemed a consumer-protective measure.
Despite a 2014 ruling by Germany’s administrative court that overturned the ban, it remains enforced due to BfArM’s reluctance to amend its stance.