Writeshop to draft National Pesticide Residue Monitoring Framework for Kenya

A writeshop has led to the creation of a draft National Pesticide Residue Monitoring Framework for Kenya aimed at coordinating pesticides residue monitoring for domestic and export value chains.

Dr Frederick Muchiri, CEO of the PCPB, giving his opening remarks at the writeshop (Credit: CABI).

This writeshop follows a series of virtual meetings held in the months of May and July 2024 that aimed at examining the situation on pesticide monitoring programmes for Kenya, a Member Country of CABI. This included the general steps needed to establish a national pesticide residue monitoring framework and the roles and responsibilities of parties among other important issues.

The writeshop was attended by representatives both public and private institutions including, the Ministry of Agriculture – Plant Protection and Food Safety Directorate (PP&FSD), Ministry of health Food Safety Division, Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), Kenya Plant Health Inspection Service (KEPHIS), Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Authority Horticultural Crops Directorate (AFA-HCD), aak-GROW, Bureau Veritas, MicroEnterprise Support Programme Trust (MESPT), Fresh Produce Exporters Association Of Kenya (FPEAK), COLEAD, ReTraK, County Governments of Nyeri, Nandi, Makueni, Nyandarua, Mombasa and Meru.

The writeshop was facilitated by Dr Reddy Shanker, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Science and Technology Program Monitoring Programs Division – Pesticide Data Program (PDP), USDA (AMS S&T MPD PDP).

The draft National Pesticide Residue Monitoring Framework for Kenya focused on six key areas including laws and regulations, national Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), pesticide screening and risk assessment, and data management and reporting.

Other areas highlighted were the importance of the analytical laboratory and budget and funding arrangements that will support and sustain the national sampling and testing during the national residue monitoring process.

CEO of the PCPB stressed the mandate in regulating

The writeshop was officially opened by Mr. Frederick Muchiri, CEO, PCPB, who highlighted the mandate of the PCPB in regulating the manufacture, importation and exportation, distribution, sale, use and disposal of pesticides.

He said the Board ″ensures compliance with quality standards through analysis of formulated products in its Analytical Services Department.″ This department conducts both quality analysis of pesticide formulations and monitors pesticide residues in food commodities and environmental samples.

The detection of pesticide residues on crops can signal problems – for example, when they are present at levels exceeding the maximum residue level, they indicate that a pesticide was used incorrectly and may also signal a food safety concern.

When pesticides are detected on a crop that they are not registered for, then this may signal issues such as residues of persistent pesticides in the soil or water, spray drift, off-label usage or counterfeits.

Important testament to quality assurance

CABI, USDA, KEPHIS and PCPB representatives during the group discussions (Credit: CABI).

Furthermore, when banned or illegal pesticides are detected, this is a sign of larger market problems such as illegal imports and fake products. The compliance to residue levels was applauded as the key achievement that PCPB, its partners aspire to maintain in both domestic and export value chains.

At a previous meeting, Dr Melanie Bateman, CABI’s Integrated Crop Management Advisor, said the PlantwisePlus programme is supporting the Government of Kenya and the creation of the framework as part of its Pesticide Risk Reduction pathway.

The Pesticide Risk Reduction pathway is focused on raising awareness of, access to, and use of affordable integrated pest management solutions. This includes identifying and implementing classical biocontrol methods and harnessing the potential of augmentative biocontrol and biopesticide solutions to reduce the impact of priority pests.

By working closely with national and local government entities, commercial enterprises, and farmers, it seeks to identify opportunities to reduce pesticide-related risks. Information on pesticide residues in food can help to identify risks and opportunities for risk reduction.

The next steps for the draft National Pesticide Residue Monitoring Framework for Kenya are to finalize it ensure that stakeholders are aware of the framework for review and validation and, pilot it before aiming to implement it fully. PlantwisePlus will continue to provide support for the implementation of the new framework.

Participants of the writeshop held at the Azure Towers Hotel in Nairobi (Credit: CABI).

In her closing remarks, Ms Brendah Obura, Ministry of Health, Food Safety Division encouraged collaboration among institutions to enable building on synergies that will enhance implementation of the national pesticides residue monitoring framework including sharing of information for decision making.