Kenyan poultry farmers are at risk of losing Sh172 billion annually if the government allows the importation of finished poultry products from the United States.
Farmers and stakeholders in the sector project a 75 percent loss, which will be triggered by the reduction in demand for local poultry products following the impending government move to allow importation.
The state proposed the importation of finished poultry products from the US under the ongoing Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) negotiations yet to be effected.
The sector led by the Poultry Breeders Association of Kenya stated that the move will impact producers and the supporting industries in the value chain, including feed suppliers, breeders, processors, and agro vets.
The association claimed that the introduction of meat and eggs from the United States exposes Kenya’s livestock to infection after it recorded the worst bird flu outbreak in history this year.
“Kenya has not reported bird flu for more than 10 years. The introduction of meat and eggs from the USA exposes Kenya’s livestock to infection which is a threat to both livestock and human health. H5N1 can have devastating economic impacts from mass culling of sick birds, decreased market demand during an outbreak, and loss of trade,” it pointed out.
Small-scale poultry farmers have been objecting to the move by the government to allow the importation of finished poultry products from the United States, stating it poses a threat to the local market.
