Kenya faces ban on cut flower exports to Australia

Kenyan cut flowers could be locked out of Australian markets as Canberra moves to implement new biosecurity measures.

The new regulations coming into force on September 1 also cover Colombia and Ecuador, the other important cut flower exporters to Australia, who have complied.

For Kenya, which largely exports cut flowers to Europe, the Australia is critical for the growth of the sector as it offers an alternative market.

STRINGENT REGULATIONS

But Nairobi has unsuccessfully tried to negotiate for an extension of the deadline to comply with the biosecurity measures. The compliance date has been moved several times since March last year, with the latest being July 1, 2019 before it was moved to September 1. The Australian Department of Agriculture has said there will be no further extension.

Now, there are fears among producers and exporters that the European Union may borrow a leaf from Australia.