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by David Musyoka
NAIROBI, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government said on Wednesday that it will not lift a ban on imports of poultry products from Uganda until it is sure that the avian influenza is fully under control.
Livestock Principal Secretary Dr. Andrew Tuimur reiterated the government's firmness to protect the country against the influenza and other diseases.
"We are still working with Uganda government to ensure the avian influenza is fully tamed. The two governments since the emergence of the flu have been working on certain issues which are yet to be fully exhausted," Tuimur said in Nairobi.
Early this week poultry traders in Western Kenya petitioned the government to lift the ban saying they are incurring loses daily. Kenya in mid-January banned the imports following the outbreak of avian flu in the country.
Following the ban of imports from Uganda prices of eggs per tray have increased from 2.7 U.S. dollars to more than 3 dollars. But locally produced eggs are still retailing at more than 0.15 dollars per egg.
The traders under the umbrella of the Eggs Suppliers Union representative Erick Osumba said the ban will push traders out of business.
They said Uganda had lifted its ban two weeks ago and they wondered why Kenyan authorities have not lifted the ban yet.
Tuimur confirmed that Nairobi is studying a report prepared by a team of experts who visited Uganda immediately the avian flu was report.
The Kenya government had requested the Uganda government to furnish the former with information on the outbreak of the disease, the precautionary measures it is employed to contain the same.
"Until we are sure that the situation if fully under control in Uganda we cannot lift the ban. The issues at hand have to be fully addressed by the Uganda government to give an assurance on the safety of the imports. We cannot compromise on the safety of Kenyans," he added.
After a visit to Uganda by Kenyan team of experts drawn from ministry of agriculture, livestock and fisheries, African Union, Food Agricultural Organization and University of Nairobi in mid-January, the Uganda team was urged to address certain issues.
The issues include a report on the outbreak of the disease, the relationship of the national government and its districts and a report on disease control methods.
Tuimur confirmed that the final report has been developed out of the info Kenya received from Uganda. "We are assessing the report now before making a final decision," he added.
Kenya has a population of 32 million birds but it is not enough to feed the consumers of poultry products.
Tuimur says every year the Kenya has to import poultry products from Uganda worth over 500,000 dollars both through formal and informal channels. While a similar amount or more than on imports from South Africa, Israel and other sources. Enditem
