Kenya ban use of dimethoate in fruits and vegetables as exports to Europe remain high despite financial crisis

By Today Financial News Reporter

Horticultural exporters are optimistic that the industry will survive the unfolding eurozone crisis that threatens to dampen exports into the European Union (EU) countries.

Kenya cannot afford to lose EU market

The Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) says that exports for vegetables, fruits and flowers remained robust in the last quarter of last year despite crisis.

FPEAK Chief Executive Officer Dr Daniel Mbithi says the association does not expect exports to decline significantly saying consumers in Europe will continue to demand food despite reduced purchase power.

“We believe that food imports will be the last to be affected. But even flower exports were doing well in December and this is expected to increase as we near Valentine day next month,” he said.

Both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have warned that the crisis sparked by foreign debt in Greece would dampen demand for exports that would affect global trade.

At the same time, the government working together with stakeholders in the industry has banned the use of dimethoate in fruits and vegetables after it was banned in the European Union three years ago.

Agricultural secretary Dr Wilson Songa said the pesticide was restricted in the EU in 2009 and later revised the allowed maximum residue limit to a level that translated into a technical ban.

“European supermarkets followed up this action with a direct ban on any use of dimethoate on vegetables marketed in the EU, “said Dr Songa.

“Kenya faces the loss of over Sh20 billion vegetable exports with massive impact on the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and to the Kenyan economy.”

He said being an organophosphate; its use is restricted on many crops. Organophosphatres, he said are known to be harzadous to environment posing particular danger to marine life, bees and livestock.

“Dimethoate is also known to be carcinogenic,” said Dr Mbithi who insists that horticultural farmers must adhere to the strict requirements or lose their livelihood.

“It is thus clear that an urgent and broad response to the impending crisis is required. The most effective solution is to implement a total and immediate ban on all use of dimethoate pesticides on vegetables, both for domestic and export markets.”