Challenges in compliance with official standards and implications in market access: case of Kenya's horticultural produce

Sustaining market share and increasing market access for horticultural products require consistent compliance with official standards set by appropriate international treaties. The relevant treaties in this regard are the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and Codex Alimentarius. Effective application of these standards consists of a highly functional and responsive export certification system on the supply side (exporting country) and a transparent import regulatory system on the demand side (importing country). This enables strict observance of the transparency provisions especially in regard to notifications, response to biosecurity enquiries and cooperation in information exchange. Despite many developing countries being contracting parties to the IPPC and Codex Alimentarius, the majority encounter difficulties in complying with standards set by these organizations. This is exemplified by frequent notifications on non-compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements of trading partners. Non compliance not only limits market access but also frequently results in loss of already established markets. Upsurge in cases of phytosanitary non-compliance due to some pests was experienced in 2007. Concerted efforts by Kenya’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), collaborative actions of producers and exporters, quick information exchange among NPPOs, improved ability of the inspectors and scouts to identify the quarantine pests plus intensified pest management systems on the farms contributed to marked reduction of these cases of non-compliance. Strategic actions by KEPHIS and the industry resulted in development of an early warning system to improve responsiveness to emerging threats to the export market, a residue monitoring plan to manage issues on Maximum Residue Levels MRLs together with a targeted pest risk analysis and pest information management system.