Tanzania to Allow Eggs, Other Poultry Exports From Kenya After Resolving 3-Year Dispute

 

Tanzania and Kenya have successfully resolved a longstanding dispute over the export of poultry and poultry products. Teams from Kenya and Tanzania met at EAC headquarters and resolved a ban on Kenyan poultry exports that has lasted for three years.  The resolution came after a two-day consultative meeting at the East African Community (EAC) headquarters in Tanzania's northern Arusha. The gathering, held from April 29 to April 30, 2024, brought together veterinary authorities from both countries to address the prohibition on the exportation of poultry and related products from Kenya to Tanzania.  Rabson Wanjala, Kenya's co-chair of the meeting, and Benezeth Lutege Malinda, acting director of veterinary services in Tanzania's Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, expressed dedication to overcoming trade obstacles, particularly non-tariff barriers, that hindered trade between the two countries. “We remain committed to tackling these challenges and fostering an environment conducive to seamless trade between Kenya and Tanzania,” Malinda said. How did Kenya and Tanzania resolve poultry export dispute? The two parties engaged in discussions and reached the following agreements regarding poultry trade between Kenya and Tanzania, as reported in a press release by the EAC. 1. Clarification of the Ban Tanzania clarified that it had not imposed a ban on Kenyan poultry and poultry products. Instead, it had implemented sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in response to global Avian Influenza outbreaks, as indicated in the World Organization for Animal Health disease notification reports.  2. Continued trade Both parties affirmed that trade in day-old chicks (DOCs) and hatching eggs between the two countries is ongoing. Facilities demonstrating high biosecurity standards are permitted to operate between both countries. 3. Risk assessment Facilities intending to export poultry products from Kenya to Tanzania, and vice versa, may undergo a risk assessment to ensure compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. 4. Surveillance and capacity building Both partner states have pledged to boost surveillance efforts and capacity-building initiatives to ensure early disease detection and reporting. Additionally, it was decided that small-scale poultry producers in both countries will be supported in enhancing their biosecurity measures, improving their export opportunities. 5. Enhanced communication Acknowledging the importance of effective communication, veterinary competent authorities in both Partner States committed to enhancing their collaboration to quickly resolve issues related to sanitary and phytosanitary measures. 

by  Elijah Ntongai