Kemya : Flower farmers could face new EU tax

In Kenya, The Council of governors has expressed its concern over the failure by the government to sign the economic partnership agreement with the European union. With the deadline fast approaching, the council warned that thousand of jobs and investment worth billions is at stake following the ongoing impasse.

The matter arose during a meeting between governors and the Kenya flower council in a Naivasha hotel. The governors were told that over 500,000 jobs were at stake while the flower farmers could face a new tax of between eight to twelve per cent in the E.U market, a move that would lock out many farmers from flower farming.

Addressing the press, Bomet governor Isaac Ruto warned that the country market share in the E.U was at risk due to the ongoing impasse. On her part, the chief executive officer KFC Jane Ngige noted that if the agreement was not signed the flower growing sector in the country would decline. The agreement also affects products such as coffee, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Source: KTN Kenya