NEW POLICY GUIDELINES ON IMPORTS INSPECTION
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) organized a workshop on 16th July 2019in Nairobi to create awareness on a new government policy that requires all imports including agricultural produce to undergo a pre-export inspection at country of origin. All imports are now expected to have a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) certificate on arrival in the country.
The workshop was attended by various import and export companies, NPCK, Seed Traders Association of Kenya (STAK) among others. The participants discussed the impact of the PVoC and also proposed changes to the legal framework that will guide the implementation of the government policy directive. The government’s intention to reduce the number of institutions involved in clearance at ports of entry was hailed as a positive step as it is bound to increase efficiency and reduce costs associated with delays in clearance. However, a directive that followed from the Head of public service, which adopted a generalized approach and among other things it stopped KEPHIS from inspecting imported plant material jeopardizes potato industry and agriculture in general. However, stakeholders have raised this concern and are expecting corrective measures to be taken.