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EU lifts ban on Kenya’s beans
Exporters of French beans can now resume trade with buyers in the international market after the European Union (EU) lifted a ban it had imposed on the produce nearly two years ago. But exporters of snow peas will have to wait longer for the ban to be lifted, said Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) acting general manager, phytosanitary services, James Wahome.
EU slapped the ban on the two crops because of the failure by exporters to conform to the 10 per cent Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) requirement.
Wahome told a media briefing in Nairobi on the forthcoming International Flower Trade Expo (IFTEX 2016) slated for June 8-10 that the industry is positive the ban on snow peas will be lifted after a report submitted to the EU indicated compliance has been achieved.
Horticultural Crops Development managing director Zakayo Magara is optimistic the sector will overcome the challenge because of measures already put in place to fend off encroachment by the Ethiopian horticulture sector.
“We need to demonstrate efficiency in production and high standards as the issue of quality remains critical to assure international buyers the systems in place can be trusted,” he said. Meanwhile, calm has returned to the cut flower sub-sector after a team of inspectors from Britain carried out sampling to cushion the industry against emergence of a disease that poses threat to the rose flower.
The Bacteria Wilt Race 1 pest had been identified in the Netherlands, Israel and Columbia, according to the acting officer in charge of Naivasha Kephis office, Hilda Miranyi. She said the best action would be to ensure the pest does not enter the country through planting material to save the country’s rose flower.
“We need new ammunition to manage pests to ensure the cut flower sub-sector continues to thrive. The latest news poses serious threat to the country’s industry,” said Dow AgroSciences manager in charge of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Oscar Shilliebo.
Source:http://www.mediamaxnetwork.co.ke/
