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Page 1 of 5 International exchange of germplasm and trade/movement
of plants and plant products is crucial in the quest for adequate food
production and supply. There being need to ensure that foreign
injurious pests, diseases and noxious weeds which do not exist in Kenya
are not introduced in the country, Kenya has a very stringent plant
introduction and certification procedures.
INTRODUCTION
International
exchange of germplasm and trade/movement of plants and plant products
is crucial in the quest for adequate food production and supply. There
being need to ensure that foreign injurious pests, diseases and noxious
weeds which do not exist in Kenya are not introduced in the country,
Kenya has a very stringent plant introduction and certification
procedures since 1930's when the plant quarantine services were started
in East Africa. Initially Plant quarantine services were conducted
under the Ministry of Agriculture. In 1996, a state corporation (Kenya
Plant Health Inspectorate Service, KEPHIS) was established to vigilant
for the Government, business sector, scientists and farmers on all
matters related to plant health and quality control of agricultural
inputs and produce. Through the activities of KEPHIS, the introduction
of plant pests, diseases and noxious weed into Kenya is prevented or
delayed. All phyosanitary measures are based on international standards
as in International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and World Trade
Organisation (WTO) agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS)
regulations and guidelines. The Plant Protection Act (CAP 324), the
suppression of Noxious weeks (Cap 325) and the Agricultural produce
(Export) Act (Cap 319) provide the legal framework through which the
authority carries out phytosanitary regulation service.
Plant
protection services ensure that foreign injurious pests, diseases and
noxious weeds which are no existent in Kenya are not introduced or
spread when importing plant material into the country.
The operations of the Plant protection Service department are undertaken at:
- Plant Health Clinics - KEPHIS Headquarters
- Plant Quarantine station - Muguga
- Grading and Inspection
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
- Moi International Airport
- Mombasa Sea Port
- Eldoret Airport
- Border points
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