US agribusiness team in Kenya to push for GMO trade deals

NAIROBI, Kenya - In a bid to tap into Kenya’s GMO market, the US has sent over 32 agribusiness representatives to forge partnerships with the government.

The 32 representatives are part of the American government delegation in Kenya scouting for trade opportunities.

Over the last 5 years, the US has been pilling pressure on Kenya to allow access to its genetically modified (GM) food and crop products.
Last month Ruto’s administration bowed to the pressure and lifted the ban on GMO import hence creating a market opportunity for American companies.

Previous administrations have declined to lift the ban on GMO imports but the biting drought in the East Africa region forced Kenya Kwanza to lift Kenya’s decades-old ban on GM crops hoping it will improve crop yields and food security.

US Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewel Bronaugh said that “This trade mission will provide firsthand knowledge of market conditions and opportunities in East Africa and expand awareness about US agricultural and food products in the region. Kenya and Tanzania as both of these countries present a growing opportunity for US agricultural exports.”

The delegation is expected to be in the country for a week where they will meet with potential Kenyan importers, processors, and distributors to establish trade relationships and expand opportunities for US agricultural exports.

United States Department of Agriculture officials are also expected to engage with Kenyan government counterparts on trade-related policies that will advance US interests and strengthen bilateral relations in the region.

Leading the GMO delegations are agriculture departments of US food baskets in Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon, and Nebraska.

These powerful Washington-based US Grains Council are behind the multinational firms that promote US genetically-engineered crops including maize, barley, and wheat in markets outside of the US is also expected.

They recently lobby praised President William Ruto’s decision to lift the ban on GM crops.

The Kenyan government is responding to the reality that its farmers and livestock industry need new tools to increase their agricultural productivity. Lifting this ban will enhance domestic production in Kenya and allow the country to participate in the global corn trade market where 90 percent of the corn and soybeans are GM, making it easier for imports to backfill their needs in times of crop shortfalls, such as increasingly recurring droughts.

The US government had prior to the recent lifting of the ban slammed Kenya for its reluctance to approve imported genetically modified foods and crops saying the measure is restricting its exports.

Kenya had been reluctant to approve the import or planting of genetically modified food crops since November 2012, amid an ongoing debate about the safety of GMOs, which are touted to have several advantages such as higher yields and resistance to drought and pests.

The visit of the US firms comes at a time the Joe Biden administration has signaled the resumption of stalled talks for a free trade agreement between Nairobi and Washington, amid growing unease in Kenya about the delay to conclude the deal.

Kenya seeks to seal the deal before the expiry of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, which allows Sub-Saharan African countries to export thousands of products to the United States without tariffs or quotas until 2025.

GAROWE ONLINE