The European Union, through the Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP), has provided Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) with essential laboratory testing materials to bolster food safety and expand market access for Kenyan agricultural products.
Valued at Sh3 million, the Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) were formally handed over by Adolfo Cires, the European Union Manager for Finance and Private Sector Development in Kenya, during a brief ceremony at the KEPHIS Headquarters in Nairobi.
Mr. Cires emphasized that the CRMs would play a pivotal role in enhancing compliance with the Global Good Agricultural Practice (Global GAP) system, particularly regarding pesticide residue levels, and help meet the stringent EU regulations. He highlighted the European Union’s longstanding commitment to supporting food systems and phyto-sanitary services, which have been instrumental in helping Kenya align with export requirements for European Union produce markets.
Accompanied by Theophilus Mutui, Managing Director of KEPHIS, and Maina Karuiru, the National Project Coordinator for the United Nations Industrial Organisation (UNIDO) MARKUP Project, Mr. Cires reaffirmed KEPHIS’s status as one of the European Union’s enduring partners, especially in matters relating to food safety and international trade compliance.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in ensuring the quality and safety of Kenyan agricultural products, fostering their acceptance in local, regional, and international markets, and ultimately benefiting Kenyan farmers and the economy at large.
