A Kenyan exporter has voiced his concern at the proliferation of requirements from European retailers that are making it harder for senders in developing countries to access some markets while the spectre of the food miles debate still looms.
“European retailers are elaborating new requirements for export products, but it will be impossible to meet or to afford compliances to these new requirements given our low income level,”warns Ephraim Muriuki, director of Wamu Investments in Kenya. “Unless our government interacts with other governments and finds solutions, we, the smallscale producers and exporters in Kenya are going to suffer loss of this vital business.”
He believes that the Pesticides Initiative Programme developed by ColeACP should intervene. “Otherwise I think that the money which has been injected in promoting horticulture businesses to address small-scale economic activities in ACP countries will be money down the drain.”
Wamu Investments exports legumes, passion fruit, baby corn, baby carrots and courgettes sourcing from small-scale farmers and out-growers. “We content that food miles is more a trade barrier than anything else,’ said Muriuki. “There are no studies, no statistics, justifying the discrimination against air-freighted produce…The people who promote the discrimination of air-freighted produce have to look at the global effect and take into account the welfare of people in Africa and elsewhere.”
