Ugandans to give Kenyan farmers a run for their money after government lifts ban on the USD5m poultry market

Uganda poultry farmers are now free to exploit Kenya’s Sh500 million ($5m) worth market after Kenya lifted poultry the ban.

The Kenyan government has announced it will lift the ban on poultry products from Uganda in totality after a 15-month embargo that saw chicken and eggs prohibited from entering the country following an outbreak free of avian influenza disease in Uganda last year.

Deputy Director of Veterinary Services, Michael Cheruiyot, says the move comes after an assessment that ascertained the Uganda is now free from the virus backed by discussions on the way forward.

“We have been in discussion with Uganda and agreed that we are going to lift the ban completely following eradication of the virus in Uganda,” said Dr Cheruiyot.

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Speaking yesterday in Nairobi during the launch of a report on Business Benchmarks on Farm Animal Welfare by World Animal Protection Dr Cheruiyot said the two countries had agreed to fast track the process of lifting the ban so that trade can go back to normal.

Last year in August, the Ministry of Agriculture partially lifted the ban and allowed Ugandan three firms to export their products to Kenya having met the safety conditions that would allow them to sell their eggs and chickens locally.

“The Kenya government has decided on partial lifting of the trade ban allowing the importation of poultry carcasses, eggs and day old chicks from three facilities which have been inspected and meet safety standards,” Willy Bett, former secretary of Agriculture said at the time.

Business Benchmarks on Farm Animal Welfare by World Animal Protection report focuses on global food companies including international brands operating in Kenya such as Dominos, Subway, Burger King and Carrefour, which have committed to improvement of the welfare of chickens.

While the news is welcome in Uganda Kenyan farmers can now expert stiff competition from their counterparts and the Kenyan consumer be spoilt for choice.