A Kenyan government document released yesterday suspended the ban on the importation of powdered milk into Kenya citing the East African Community protocols.
The Kenya Dairy Board regarding stoppage of the milk powder imports, “Take note that, importation of products under the East African Community (EAC) protocol refers to goods being imported from outside the East African Community, while goods traded within the EAC are referred as transfers. The stoppage issue through Kenya dairy board letter Ref. KDB/MD/SED/1VOL5/58dated 6th March 2023, is hereby suspended to allow for the dairy industry (Import and Export) Regulation 2021 to apply according.
Following the suspension, Ms Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs in Uganda has concurred with Hon. Rebecca Miano, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of East African Community and the Permanent Secretary Abdi Robert on matters concerning the exportation of milk products to Kenya.
“I am very happy to inform the country that we have received communication from the Government of Kenya that the ban on the importation of milk products in Kenya has been suspended,” Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga said while speaking to the media.
“I had a discussion on a telephone call with Hon. Rebecca Miano and the permanent secretary Abdi Robert and told them that before I meet with the permanent secretary, I would like to see a letter suspending the ban and am really happy that this has been done.”
The Ugandan farmers and the dairy industry should continue with their work, they will be able to get their import permits and I will continue to assure them that I will continue engaging, when these barriers occur Kadaga added.
READ.https://news247.co.ug/2023/03/11/are-uganda-kenya-trade-wars-about-to-end/
Background
Following a ban on the importation of powdered milk products that Nairobi had stipulated on the 6th March, 2023 to Kenya’s associated importers of milk products, in an interdiction Nairobi said, “In anticipation of long rains, the government has stopped the importation of milk powder to cushion the industry from surplus production and low producer prices,” the document said in part.
The ban was protested by Uganda’s private sector.
“Kenya’s ban on importation of our products is not new, if it’s not milk, it’s eggs or grain. The ban contravenes the EAC (East African Community) trade protocols, the Common Market Protocol on free movement of goods and services” said Ms Sarah Kagingo, the Vice Chairperson of Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU).
She said PSFU had tabled to government of Uganda, the impact of the suspension on the milk value chain for government to use their good offices to engage the government of Kenya.
It is now clear that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs in Uganda RT. Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga and the East African Community leadership is in agreement upon following the rules set on ground to achieve a common ground.
