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Page 3 of 5
GRADING AND INSPECTION
This
section offer regulatory service to imported and exported plant
materials at exit/entry points. The plant inspectors ensure that the
plant produce being exported or imported into the country is of high
quality. Phytosanitary certificates are issued for export consignments
meeting the quality standards. Plant materials failing to meet the
standards are destroyed or prohibited from leaving or entering the
country.
IMPORT OF PLANT & PLANT PRODUCTS IN KENYA
Plant import regulations in Kenya fall into three broad categories
- Imports which are made under a permit issued by KEPHIS
- Imports which must pass through the quarantine station
- Importations which are prohibited under all circumstances
1. Imports under which a permit only is required
In
this group, importation of a particular plant is permitted because the
plant materials known to carry little risk. Imports are permitted from
certain clearly defined areas of the world only. however, importation
of the same species from other area may be prohibited. This is because
either an important disease does not occur in certain areas, or the
agricultural services of that country are efficient and can be relied
upon to certify plant material as from pest/disease. The conditions for
import are indicated on the import permit.
2. Imports which must be quarantined
In
this group, importation carries a risk of introducing dangerous
organisms. For the majority of plants and seeds that require
quarantine, known diseases are extremely difficult to detect and the
plant material carrying them may appear vigorous and healthy. an
example is sugarcane which must be imported through quarantine.
3. Imports which are prohibited
Importations
of these materials carries very high risks and for this reason, plant
material included here may not be imported under any circumstances.
Examples are paddy rice, vegetative materials of certain legumes such
as cowpea, soybeans, lucerne and lentils.
PROCEDURES FOR IMPORTATION OF PLANT MATERIALS
Importation
of any form of plant material into Kenya is subjected to strict
specified conditions outlined in Kenya's Plant Import Permit as
follows:
- All plant importers intending to bring plant material into Kenya should obtain a Plant Import Permit
from Kenya Plant Inspectorate Service. Plant import permit is issued
after careful appraisal of the risk involved in importing the intended
plants or plant product. The permit specifies the requirements for
plant health, indicating prohibitions, packaging, conditions for
release at the point of entry, and other additional declaration with
regard to pre-shipment treatments. The original permit must reach the
plant health authorities in the country of origin for strict adherence
to Kenya permit requirements.
- Any plant consignment arriving into Kenya must be accompanied by a copy of a Plant Import Permit
and a Phytosanitary Certificate which verifies that a competent
authority in the exporting country examined the plant material for
pests and diseases prior to their leaving the country and that the
plant materials meet Kenya's phytosanitary requirements.
- Plant material arriving in Kenya
without authority and correct accompanying documents is not allowed
entry and may be destroyed or reshipped at owner's cost.
- All imported plant material must be
declared to a plant inspector at any point of entry. Plant inspectors
have been stationed at all major entry points into Kenya.
- Any person who contravenes or fails
to comply with the regulations shall be guilty of an offence and shall
be liable to a fine or imprisonment or both.
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