Regional Meeting on the harmonisation of Standards Cereals and pulses

Lillian Bazaale, the country director of EAGC, 

cautioned participants against coming up 

with a position that would not favour exporters

29 February - 4 March 2016. Mombassa, Kenya. Farmers and traders in East Africa dealing in cereals and pulses will have to observe common standards across the region when the process of harmonising them is finalised. Each country have their own standards, which poses a challenge to trade across the region.

But, in 2005, an effort was started to develop the same standards across the value chain for grains and pulses. This was accomplished in 2013. In total, 22 standards were developed but various stakeholders raised concerns about some of the conditions being too stringent to enable trade and, therefore, there was need for a review.

Prof. Archileo Kaaya (right) and
EAGC board chairman Dr. Benard Otim
(Credit: Francis Emorut)

Ahead of the regional meeting a consultation meeting was organised in Kampala. The consultation was aimed at arriving at a national common position regarding grains standards of maize, soya- beans, wheat, beans and rice attracted grain dealers, government officials and stakeholders in grain industry and was organized by Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) in conjunction with UNBS and supported by Food Trade East and Southern Africa.

Prof. Kaaya, who is the head of department of food technology and nutrition at Makerere University, pointed out that maintenance of high quality standards is critical for the success of the grain industry both in Uganda and at regional level.