Kenya risks UAE ban over meat exports

The government has put unscrupulous businessmen exporting sub-standard meat products to the United Arab Emirates on notice.

Denying reports that it has banned meat exports to the UAE and the wider Middle East market, Livestock Development assistant minister Dhadho Godana clarified that the government is only concerned about substandard exports which are discrediting Kenya’s quality records and risk earning the country a red card.

According to the minister Dr Mohammed Kuti, unscrupulous traders are faking Kenya Meat Commission stamps for meat products destined to the UAE markets.

On Wednesday, his assistant said stern action will be taken against any trader found violating the laid down export procedures.

“I would like to reiterate the importance of UAE market as the most important export destination of our livestock and livestock products,” Mr Godana told Parliament.

“I would like to take this early opportunity to assure Kenyans that our meat and meat products for local and export markets are of high quality and is safe,” he said.

Last month, the Livestock minister presided over the signing of a supply contract of meat and meat products between KMC and Blue Mountain Meat and Livestock trading company, LLC and Global Food LLC of Dubai.

So far KMC, Farmers Choice Ltd and Quality Meat Packers are the approved companies to export meat and meat products to Dubai.

Government records indicate that Kenya exports 34 tonnes of meat and meat products to Dubai every week. The Ministry of Livestock Development has projected an increase due to what it says is great demand for Kenyan meat in the Middle East.

Dr Kuti said he was quoted out of context by the media when he was issuing caution to unscrupulous traders not to export substandard meat in the name of Kenya exports.

“This, I stated, could lead to UAE banning imports of meat and meat products from Kenya,” he stated in a statement issued to Parliament by his assistant.

According to the minister, Kenya continues to enjoy good trade relations with UAE over the years and especially in the export of meat and meat products.

Dubai, he said, conducts frequent visits to Kenya’s slaughter facilities through its veterinary officials to evaluate its inspection, certification and the food safety management systems in place.

The Minister said Kenya’s veterinary certification system has been ranked highly in the region hence her animal products are safe and acceptable worldwide.