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State proposes new miraa handling rules

State proposes new miraa handling rules
Bunches of miraa crop on display for sale. PHOTO/Print
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Miraa traders will soon be barred from transporting the commodity using proboxes, Motorcycles and pick-ups if new regulations are adopted and passed by the Senate.

The crops (miraa) 2023 developed by the Ministry of Agriculture seeks to streamline the planting, handling, transporting and exporting of the ‘Green Gold’ to ensure that the farmers get maximum profits from the commodity.

The regulations drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture seek to put stringent handling of the commodity to avoid damage and to maintain the original quality.

“A vessel used for transportation of miraa shall be built and equipped to ensure maintenance of optimal temperatures and hygiene to prevent damage, contamination and spoilage of produce. (6) quality assurance for the handling, packaging, transportation harvesting and postharvest handling of produce under this section shall be in accordance with the code of practice,” reads part of the regulations.

This even as non-compliant produce due to food safety reasons shall be seized, detained and destroyed at the offender’s cost and that miraa produce presented using forged export or import documents shall be destroyed upon interception and the company is suspended from an export dealership for one year.

Besides, the regulations that will be considered by the Senate, the Cabinet Secretary may by a notice in the gazette impose a levy on miraa produce or products and that the levy imposed shall be at a rate of Sh2 per kilogram of miraa produce imported or exported.

The regulations further provide that any produce handling facility such as a pack house, store, collection centre, working area or designated point shall be kept free of waste material.

“The packaging for miraa shall be designed to suit the transport handling system and shall provide aeration to the produce so as to maintain optimum temperatures and humidity, maintain produce integrity by protecting them from physical damage and protect the produce against contamination,” reads part of the regulations.

Affect quality

“Miraa shall not be stored or transported together with other produce which may contaminate it or otherwise adversely affect its quality.”

This even as the regulations state that no person will be allowed to create a nursery, sell or export miraa without a valid license from County Governments if a new regulation is passed in the Senate.

“A person shall not establish or operate a commercial miraa nursery unless the person has a valid license issued by the respective county government. A person who seeks to establish or operate a commercial miraa nursery shall apply to the respective county government for a license as set out in the First Schedule.”

Randomly sampled

In the regulations, miraa produced in the field holding facility shall be randomly sampled, tested and analysed by the Authority in collaboration with the County Government and relevant agencies from time to time to ensure conformity to the miraa (khat) Industry – Code of Practice.

“The Authority from time to time shall inspect the site and produce to ensure conformity to food safety and quality standards as prescribed in the miraa (khat) Industry –Code of Practice,” reads part of the regulations.

In addition, a miraa exporter shall not export miraa or miraa issuance of miraa products unless he has a valid export permit issued by the Authority for export permits.

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