The governments of Tanzania and Kenya have finally finalized the process of uplifting the Kenyan Government Policy which banned importation of cut flowers from Tanzania to Kenya for export to Europe and other countries. TAHA took up this challenge and engaged with the respective authorities, and as a result of this, the MoU to end this challenge.
This MoU provides for an end to Kenya’s ban of importation of cut flower from Tanzania. The Agreement was signed by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (on behalf of the Kenyan Government) and the Ministry of Agriculture’s Plant Health Services Section (on behalf of the Government of Tanzania).
As you may recall, this prohibition was imposed by Kenya in May, 2011 in order to protect the country’s flower industry from regulated pests which the government of Kenya had some doubts that they may occur in Tanzania roses and are not known to occur in Kenya or are present in Kenya but are not widespread and are being officially controlled by Kenya and European Union (EU). There are about 11 pests which are officially controlled for the purposes of the signed MoU. Signing of the MoU followed the completion of Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS) which concluded that, the importation of cut flowers from Tanzania may be permitted provided that Tanzania meets the requirements provided in the MoU aiming at minimizing pest risks.
The signing of the agreement therefore marks the conclusion of implementation of resolutions of the bilateral meeting between Tanzania and Kenya which was held in Nairobi, on September, 2012 in which TAHA had actively participated. The meeting was held to discuss Non-tariff barriers issues among the two countries including the import ban of cut flower by Kenya. TAHA wishes to thank the Government of The United Republic of Tanzania for its understanding on this critical challenge and considering TAHA requests and proposals towards abolition of the ban.
TAHA specifically thank the Ministry of East African Cooperation for coordinating the consultative meetings and the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security & Cooperatives for working on and signing the MoU.
TAHA will continue to work with the government in identifying key challenges on the ground affecting trade and investment in horticulture. Our vision remains to create a conducive environment for the horticultural private sector practitioners to smoothly operate and contribute to poverty reduction and national economy.
TAHA will continue to keep you informed of industry developments in Tanzania.