Kenya’s Pest Control Board Proposes New Bill to Boost Food Safety and Regulate Pesticide Use

Food safety is a growing concern in Kenya, with increasing attention being paid to the chemicals used in agricultural production. As a country heavily reliant on both domestic production and food imports, ensuring that food is free from harmful pesticide residues is vital for the health of citizens and the success of Kenya’s agricultural exports. Recently, the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) has proposed amendments to the Pest Control Products Act, which seek to strengthen regulations on the importation of food products that may contain harmful pesticide residues. These changes aim to safeguard Kenya’s food supply and ensure compliance with international food safety standards.

A Growing Concern for Food Safety

Pesticides are essential in modern agriculture, helping farmers protect their crops from pests and diseases that can decimate yields. However, the use of pesticides comes with significant risks if not properly managed. Many pesticides have been withdrawn from use in Kenya due to their harmful effects on human health and the environment. The persistence of residues from these banned chemicals in food products, whether locally produced or imported, has become a key issue in ensuring food safety.

According to the PCPB’s Chief Executive Officer Frederick Muchiri, one of the central concerns addressed in the proposed bill is the importation of food products cultivated with pesticides that have been withdrawn for use in Kenya. “There are products we have withdrawn from use in the country but they are being used within our neighboring countries and we also import quite some food from them,” said Muchiri. “We might not be using them to produce, but we might be consuming them in food we import from our neighborhood.”

The proposed amendments in the Pest Control Products Act are designed to address this gap by preventing the entry of food crops containing harmful pesticide residues. By doing so, Kenya aims to protect the health of its citizens and reduce the risk of food products from the country being flagged on the international market due to excessive pesticide residues.

Strengthening Food Safety Standards

The current regulatory framework in Kenya regarding pesticide use has several gaps that the proposed bill seeks to address. Continuous use of carcinogenic pesticide products, improper application of pesticides, and the sale of unregulated or illegal pesticide products are some of the key issues that contribute to the contamination of food supplies.

One of the major changes proposed in the bill is the restriction on food imports that contain pesticides banned in Kenya. This is especially important given that neighboring countries may still use pesticides that have been deemed unsafe by Kenyan regulators. As Muchiri explained, “No produce will be allowed to come into the country if it contains products that have not been allowed for use in the country, and that will go a long way in safeguarding the health of our citizens.”

Another significant change is the tightening of regulations surrounding the sale of pesticides. The PCPB plans to ensure that only licensed sellers engage in the business of selling pest control products. Currently, many agrovets (shops that sell agricultural products) across Kenya sell pesticides without proper oversight, which increases the risk of farmers purchasing and using harmful or banned products.

“The new bill addresses functional operational gaps,” Muchiri said. “Once enacted, it will seal some of the issues, including ensuring that only qualified individuals dispense pesticides. The minimum qualifications for people to run agrovets and factories have been spelled out, and that will be implemented to the letter.”

By regulating who can sell and distribute pesticides, the government aims to reduce the misuse of these chemicals and improve the overall safety of food produced in Kenya.

Private Sector Involvement in Extension Services

One of the challenges facing Kenya’s agriculture sector is the limited capacity of county governments to provide farmers with adequate extension services. Extension services play a crucial role in educating farmers about best practices for pesticide use, pest management, and food safety. However, due to budget constraints and a lack of properly trained personnel, many counties are struggling to provide these services effectively.

Agriculture stakeholders, including the Agro-chemicals Association of Kenya (AAK), are calling for increased involvement of the private sector in offering extension services to farmers. This would involve collaboration between the government and private sector actors to ensure that smallholder farmers receive proper training on the use of pesticides and other agricultural inputs.

“We see an opportunity where we can have private sector like ourselves training these farmers, working with government to put in place mechanisms that will support sustainability of extension, where all the private sector involvement at the smallholder farmers’ levels are coordinated in the way they deliver the stewardship messages,” said Erick Kimungui, AAK’s Chief Executive Officer.

Private sector involvement could help address the current gaps in extension services and ensure that farmers are equipped with the knowledge they need to use pesticides responsibly, thereby improving food safety and reducing the risk of contamination.

Addressing Controversial Pesticides

One of the most contentious issues surrounding pesticide use in Kenya is the continued use of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide that has been linked to health risks, including cancer. There have been calls from various quarters for the government to withdraw products containing glyphosate from the market.

However, according to the PCPB, glyphosate is safe if used according to the label instructions. Muchiri emphasized that the problem lies not with the pesticide itself, but with the improper application and misuse of the product. The PCPB maintains that as long as farmers adhere to the recommended guidelines, glyphosate does not pose a significant threat to food safety.

This highlights the importance of proper training and education for farmers, as well as stringent enforcement of pesticide regulations. The proposed amendments to the Pest Control Products Act would ensure that farmers are better informed about the correct use of pesticides, and that harmful products do not make their way into the Kenyan food supply.

Safeguarding Kenya’s Agricultural Exports

Kenya is a major exporter of agricultural products, including tea, coffee, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Ensuring that these products meet international food safety standards is critical for maintaining access to key export markets. In recent years, Kenyan food products have been flagged on the international market for containing high levels of pesticide residues, which has raised concerns about the country’s food safety practices.

The proposed amendments to the Pest Control Products Act are intended to address these concerns by tightening controls on pesticide use and food imports. By ensuring that only safe, approved pesticides are used in agricultural production, Kenya can improve the quality of its food products and reduce the risk of export rejections due to pesticide residues.

Furthermore, by preventing the importation of food products containing banned pesticides, the country can protect its domestic food supply from contamination and safeguard the health of its citizens.

Conclusion

The proposed amendments to the Pest Control Products Act represent a significant step forward in Kenya’s efforts to enhance food safety and protect public health. By tightening controls on the use of pesticides, regulating the sale and distribution of pest control products, and preventing the importation of contaminated food, the Pest Control Products Board is working to ensure that Kenyans have access to safe, healthy food.

The involvement of the private sector in providing extension services to farmers is another important aspect of the bill, as it will help bridge the gap in agricultural education and ensure that farmers are using pesticides responsibly. At the same time, the bill addresses concerns about controversial pesticides like glyphosate, ensuring that they are used safely and in accordance with the law.

Ultimately, the success of these initiatives will depend on effective enforcement and collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and farmers. With the right regulatory framework in place, Kenya can continue to improve its food safety standards and protect the health of its citizens while maintaining its position as a leading exporter of agricultural products.