EU fruit rejection forces chemical ban

A chemical used as an ingredient in 25 pesticides has been banned in Kenya’s efforts to safeguard the increasingly safety-conscious European fresh produce market.

Exports of fresh produce comprising fruits and vegetables worth Sh20 billion were last year denied entry into the EU market after they were found to contain more than the recommended levels of the pesticide, Dimethoate.

“This problem has led to the threat of Kenyan produce being sanctioned by the EU and already the situation is under surveillance by European authorities,” said Agriculture secretary Wilson Songa.

“Last year, fresh produce worth Sh20 billion were denied entry to the key market because they contained dimethoate and contracts for suppliers were cancelled”.

The exports, including French beans, mongetouts and passion fruits, were found to have exceeded the 0.02 parts per million (ppm) limit of Dimethoate.

The harmful substance is a key ingredient for 25 different chemicals sold in the Kenyan market but is considered dangerous to the environment, marine life, bees and livestock. Dimethoate is also thought to cause cancer

“The 25 or so pesticides are now being relabelled because local and foreign markets have rejected its use,” Dr Songa said, adding that the European Union had lowered the maximum residue levels from 0.2 parts per million (ppm) 0.02 ppm.

Dimethoate has been popular with farmers due to its high efficacy in controlling pests in vegetables and fruits.

However, it was rejected by the European Union Food and Veterinary Office in 2009 through a directive that reduced the allowed Maximum Residue Limit to the current levels, effectively a technical ban.

An appeal by UK growers to the European Standards and Safety Council (ESSC) was rejected despite there being no immediate alternatives to replace the chemical.

The EU is this year expected to start inspecting produce for Dimethoate, placing a new safety hurdle to a market that consumes more than 80 per cent of Kenya’s fresh produce.

“We received three warnings in 2011 by the EU. There have been several others from supermarkets which have direct contracts with Kenyan farmers,” said Fresh Produce and Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) chief executive officer Stephen Mbithi.

The government is now planning to sensitise farmers on chemicals that can be used instead of Diophyte. “We have alternatives that we plan to introduce,” said Dr Songa.

“Dimethoate is very effective and very cheap. It can be used in many crops for different pests. This is a voluntary ban,” said Gladys Maina, CEO of the Pests and Poisons Control Board (PCPB).

Dr Songa said the chemical can still be used on other crops like cotton with a total ban set to be effected gradually.