K enya’s pepper exports to the European Union (EU) risk a ban following the emergence of a new and lethal pest that has wrecked havoc on the crop in different parts of the country.
Farmers in pepper growing areas of central Kenya, Naivasha, Athi River, Kitengela and Isinya have been placed on high alert following the outbreak of the pest called False Codling Moth (FCM).
Scientists said no pesticide has been identified to deal with the new threat which has already seen capsicum produce from Uganda banned from the EU market.
According to Samuel Kagumba, a sanitary and phytosanitary consultant, the FCM pest threatens Kenya’s grip on the fresh produce market in Europe. He noted the pest has devastated peppers in Uganda hence their rejection in the EU market.
“The False Codling Moth has affected pepper exports in the EU market due to rigorous phytosanitary requirements imposed on the crop,” Kagumba from Naivasha.
He revealed importers from the EU demanded that any commodity infected by the moth should be banned. Kagumba urged the ministry of agriculture to conduct a national surveillance to ascertain the geographical spread of this lethal pest.
The moth, whose scientific name is Thaumatotibia, has shifted from citrus to capsicum produce and there are fears that it could spread to roses.
The new threat comes at a time when the Kenya is grappling with the aftermath of the tomato disease (tuta absoluta) that has wrought havoc to the crop in many parts of the country. According to experts from government and the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), no known treatment for the pest has been discovered.
The Thaumatotibia (FCM), which is not a quarantine pest, has seen EU members embark on the process of enacting a law against any produce contaminated with the insect.
FPEAK technical manager Francis Wario noted the horticulture sector could lose 70 million U.S. dollars due to stringent rules imposed by EU on Kenyan fresh produce.
He regretted the Kenyan fresh produce was facing a resistant EU market due to growing concerns on issues related to food safety, pests, quarantine and growing environment.
“There is an urgent need to train horticulture growers on how to deal with emerging pests and diseases. The market is concerned about the maximum residual levels (mls) in fresh produce and there is need to engage farmers to ensure they meet these requirements, standards,” said Wario.
He disclosed that Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) was addressing phytosanitary standards to enhance competitiveness of Kenyan fresh produce in the overseas market.
“We should be keen on policing, enforcement of the law, traceability while providing farmers with credible information on market dynamics,” Wario remarked.