European Commissioner for Health meets PIP beneficiaries in Kenya

On 7th April the EU Commissioner for Health, Food and Feed Safety and Animal Health and Welfare, Mrs Androulla Vassiliou, met with representatives of two EU funded programmes - PIP and HORTICAP - during her tour of Kenya. Together with the EU Delegation in Nairobi and the Kenyan Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), PIP organised visits to two horticultural export companies in Nairobi airport district. The aim of the tour was to show how it is possible to reconcile the (food safety) interests of consumers with development and poverty alleviation through improved income generating opportunities.

The first of these companies – Wamu Investments – is a small to medium sized enterprise that sources most of its produce from outgrowers. This family company has demonstrated how, with technical assistance, it is possible for small-scale growers to meet stringent market and regulatory requirements and supply high quality produce for export. The second company – Sunripe – is one of the largest in Kenya, providing employment for some 2000 people. Sunripe operates a high care facility for the preparation of ready-to-cook fresh produce that guarantees highest levels of food safety for consumers.

During an evening cocktail reception hosted by PIP and conducted by Master of Ceremonies Stephen Mbithi of the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), keynote speakers outlined some of the key issues facing the horticultural export sector. Commissioner Vassiliou completed the event with a speech in which she highlighted the importance of the horticultural export sector in alleviating poverty. She emphasised in particular the key role played by women in this industry, a factor that increases potential developmental impact, but also the need for clear social policies.

The Commissioner was impressed by the degree of public-private sector collaboration in Kenya, as well as the strong commitment of the industry to development. She ended by saying that she was glad to see first-hand the positive impact of the EU funded COLEACP-PIP, and very happy to confirm that a second phase of the programme will be initiated soon.