EAST AFRICA – Kenya and Tanzania have reached a significant resolution in a longstanding dispute over the export of poultry and poultry products from Kenya to Tanzania.
Historically, Kenya has served as a major exporter of poultry and related products to Tanzania, including items such as Day-Old Chicks (DOC), hatching eggs, parent stock, and processed poultry goods.
However, 2021 saw a major turn of events, with Tanzania imposing a ban on poultry imports from Kenya in response to the global outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
This ban dealt a severe blow to Kenya’s poultry industry, depriving it of access to a crucial market.
However, in a recent meeting, Tanzania clarified that it had not enforced a ban on Kenyan poultry and poultry products.
Instead, it had implemented sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in alignment with the World Organization for Animal Health’s disease notification reports, as a proactive measure to address the Avian Influenza outbreaks.
Both countries have now committed to strengthening surveillance efforts and capacity-building initiatives to ensure the prompt detection and reporting of diseases.
Veterinary authorities from both nations will intensify collaboration to swiftly resolve issues regarding SPS measures.
Co-Chair of the meeting, Rabson Wanjala from Kenya, stressed the vital importance of trade between the two countries – he emphasized the need for continuous consultations to streamline and facilitate trade processes, underscoring the commitment of both nations to foster trade relations.
Moreover, they have pledged support to small-scale poultry producers in improving biosecurity measures, thereby enhancing their export opportunities.
Benezeth Lutege Malinda, the Co-Chair of the meeting from Tanzania, echoed these sentiments, affirming the commitment to address challenges and create an environment conducive to seamless trade between Kenya and Tanzania.
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