The US state of California will list Roundup on July 7 as one of the chemicals that causes cancer, a move that might subject Kenya’s produce destined to the country to high scrutiny to detect the presence of glyphosate, which is an active ingredient in the herbicide.
Europe is likely to follow suit once the chemical has been listed, a move that might have a negative impact on Kenya’s major market.
KFC is conducting a study on the status of the American market, entry points and investment opportunities.
Kenya’s bid to expand its horticultural market in the US faces uncertainty following a move by the US to list a common herbicide commonly used by farmers as cancerous.
The US state of California will list Roundup on July 7 as one of the chemicals that causes cancer, a move that might subject Kenya’s produce destined to the country to high scrutiny to detect the presence of glyphosate, which is an active ingredient in the herbicide.
Horticultural experts have urged Kenya to move with speed and address the use of the chemical before it is too late.
“If America lists Roundup as a cancerous chemical then it will have a negative impact on our horticultural produce now that we are seeking to expand to that market,” said Alfred Serem, former managing director of Horticultural Crops Development Authority.
“The effect might not be immediate but precautionary measures have to be taken before it is too late.”
In 2015, the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer linked the chemical to the disease saying it is “probably carcinogenic” in a controversial ruling.
Dr Serem said Europe is likely to follow suit once the chemical has been listed, a move that might have a negative impact on Kenya’s major market.
He said regulations must be put in place to curb the use of the chemical.
Farmers use Roundup to spray farms before planting, to kill the notorious weeds in the fields.
Kenya Flower Council (KFC) wants to increase the market share of the horticulture produce in the US to diversify the market.
KFC is conducting a study on the status of the American market, entry points and investment opportunities.
Volumes of the produce exported to the US last year grew to 133,000 tonnes from 130,000 tonnes in the previous year, according to data from Horticulture Development Centre.
The flower council argues that the US market will increase demand for the Kenyan produce globally as nearly all of the produce is sold in Europe.
