The government has outlined a systematic approach that the country is following to ensure the elimination of False Codling Moth (FCM) in rose flowers in line with new European Union (EU) regulations.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 25, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said that the country has already begun implementing an approach to eliminate FCM in rose flowers and ensure compliance with the EU.
Following a study by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that revealed that rose flowers are at risk of FCM, the EU, last year in July, enacted Regulation (EU) 2024/2004, mandating stricter pest management measures for fresh-cut roses exported to the EU. The measures include increased sampling rates and comprehensive protocols to prevent, detect, and control pests, especially the FCM.
After the new regulations were enacted, Kagwe revealed that the EU rejected 95 Kenyan export consignments and intercepted 48 others, which is equivalent to 2.1 million stems, due to FCM, which had an estimated value of Ksh 147.1 million.
According to the CS, however, Kenya is ready to comply with the regulations, which are expected to take effect by April 26, 2025.
Kagwe said that the country has already registered pest control products by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) for the management of the pest.
Additionally, the ministry, through agricultural authorities, has submitted 134 approved flower production sites to the EU in addition to submitting evidence of the efficacy of the systems approach being used for FCM management at the production sites.
Furthermore, agricultural authorities, according to the CS, have trained 475 agro attendants and 849 staff on the management of the pests.
"Kenya has chosen to implement the Systems approach which includes one of the four options given by the EU and already we have; Submitted the FCM Systems Approach Protocol to the EU as Kenya’s description of adopted measures to assure compliance for Kenya produce being exported to EU," he stated.
FCM is a pest that is endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa and has long been affecting flowers and other crops including citrus, avocado, and vegetables in Kenya. The EU, which is the leading importer of Kenya's horticultural produce, started the regulation of the pest back in 2017.
In 2023, however, the EU, through the EFSA, indicated that fresh-cut roses pose a risk of introducing FCM to the EU, a discovery that has since then cost the country.
Last year, flowers accounted for the country's largest export share. According to the CS, the country exported 102,475.80 tonnes valued at Ksh 72.1 billion,53% of the total export values, in 2024.
