Kenya Steps Up Efforts To Eliminate False Codling Moth In Rose Exports To EU

The government has outlined a systematic approach to eliminate False Codling Moth (FCM) in rose flowers to comply with new European Union (EU) regulations.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced on Tuesday, March 25, that Kenya has already begun implementing measures to eradicate FCM in fresh-cut roses and ensure continued access to the EU market.

The move follows a study by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that identified rose flowers as being at risk of FCM infestation.

In response, the EU introduced Regulation (EU) 2024/2004 in July 2024, imposing stricter pest management measures, including increased sampling rates and rigorous pest control protocols for roses exported to Europe.

Since the regulations were enacted, the EU has rejected 95 Kenyan flower consignments and intercepted 48 others, affecting approximately 2.1 million stems valued at Sh147.1 million.

However, Kagwe assured stakeholders that Kenya is prepared to comply with the new requirements, which take effect on April 26, 2025.

To meet EU standards, the government has already registered pest control products through the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) for FCM management.

Additionally, 134 approved flower production sites have been submitted to the EU, along with evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of Kenya’s pest management strategy.

Kenya has opted for the “systems approach,” one of the four pest control strategies recommended by the EU.

This includes a combination of pest monitoring, preventive treatments, and post-harvest controls to ensure compliance.

So far, the government has trained 475 agro attendants and 849 staff on FCM management.

The Ministry of Agriculture has also formally submitted the FCM Systems Approach Protocol to the EU, detailing Kenya’s adopted measures to ensure that its flower exports meet international standards.

“Kenya has chosen to implement the Systems approach which includes one of the four options given by the EU and already we have; Submitted the FCM Systems Approach Protocol to the EU as Kenya’s description of adopted measures to assure compliance for Kenya produce being exported to EU,” Kagwe stated.

FCM, a pest native to Sub-Saharan Africa, has long affected flowers and crops such as citrus, avocados, and vegetables.

Given that the EU is the largest importer of Kenya’s horticultural produce, adherence to these new pest management rules is critical for sustaining the country’s multi-billion-shilling flower export industry.