Kenya declares war on FC Moth as it threatens the EU flower and horticultural export market

Published 2020년 7월 30일

Tridge summary

The Kenyan government and agricultural industry are taking urgent action to address an infestation of the False Coddling Moth (FCM), which has affected 70 types of crops and led to a surge in export rejections by the European Union (EU). The moth, which is a quarantine pest, has resulted in a significant number of fresh produce imports from Kenya being rejected, particularly roses, and the EU is considering increasing checks on Kenyan imports. This could potentially lead to a crisis in Kenya's cut flower industry, which accounts for 73.6% of total fresh horticultural earnings. To prevent further damage, a series of chemical applications and controls are being developed in collaboration with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services and the Agrochemicals Association of Kenya. The Pest Control Products Board has also approved active ingredients to control the moth.

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Original content

The Kenyan government and agricultural industry are launching an urgent offensive against a moth that has infested 70 types of crops, from roses to citrus fruits and capsicums, prompting a surge in Kenyan export rejections by the European Union (EU), and an EU review that could now see a growing proportion of the country’s flower and horticultural trade fail. The EU defines the False Coddling Moth (FCM) as a quarantine pest, meaning that fresh produce containing the moth cannot be allowed into the European market. However, random checks of fresh imports from Kenya have found increasing numbers to be FCM-infested, with rose exports, in particular, driving a sharp increase in rejected consignments. As a result, the EU, which in January 2018 began checking one in every 20 rose consignments from Kenya for infestation by the moth, last year lifted that checking rate to one in every 10 consignments. This year’s review of the checking rate may maintain this rate or may now increase it to ...

Source: Kilimo News