Tanzania on April 30, 2024 clarified that the country did not ban poultry products in 2021, but instead imposed sanitary and phytosanitary measures on Kenyan products.
According to a statement released by the East African Community (EAC), on Tuesday, Kenya and Tanzania resolved the stalemate, allowing Kenyan businesses to access the expansive market in the neighbouring country.
“Contrary to previous understanding, Tanzania clarified that it had not imposed a ban on Kenyan poultry and poultry products but had implemented sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures (requirements) in response to the global Avian Influenza outbreaks as per the World Organization for Animal Health disease notification reports, read the statement in part.
Further, Tanzania noted that the country had instituted these measures in 2021 to safeguard animal and public health.
Additionally, it was noted that hatching eggs between the two countries was ongoing, as facilities demonstrated high biosecurity standards.
However, despite resolving the stalemate Tanzania issued several conditions for Kenyan poultry producers eyeing the market.
First, any facility intending to export poultry products from Kenya to the country, and vice versa, would be required to undergo risk assessment to ensure compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures.
Secondly, both States must enhance surveillance and capacity-building initiatives to ensure timely disease detection and reporting for poultry products.
Further, both countries agreed to enforce the directives through committed communication of veterinary departments based in both nations.
Incidentally, trade disputes within the East African region, are not new despite the region’s no-trade barriers agreement.
This development came even as East African countries continued to be the subjects of feuds fueled by trade disagreements.
On April 23, Kenyan traders lamented the increase of tax on vehicles transporting Irish potatoes to Uganda.
The traders cited that the review of taxes upwards amounted to 80 percent of the transport costs of the Kenyan potatoes impeding trade.
