Kenya has been classified as a low-risk country under the European Union's new deforestation regulations, offering a significant reprieve for local exporters concerned about emerging compliance costs.
The reassurance came during a high-level meeting between Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and EU Ambassador to Kenya, Ms Henriette Geiger, held at Kilimo House.
The meeting, which brought together top officials from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and the Agriculture and Food Authority's Coffee Directorate, centered on strengthening agricultural trade ties and addressing challenges posed by evolving EU regulations.
Kagwe welcomed the EU's recognition of Kenya's environmental efforts, noting that the country's tree cover is steadily increasing, bolstered by the expansion of crops such as avocado and coffee, which contribute to reforestation.
