01 June 2021
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Kenya police crack down on growers breaching packaging rules
POLICE in Kenya are continuing to crack down on potato growers and have arrested four people breaching the Irish potatoes regulation Act.
The Potato Regulation Act 2019 states that potatoes should be packaged in not more than 50kgs bags and local police forces have been carrying out checks on farms and transportation vehicles.
On Saturday, two lorries which were carrying potatoes in outlawed bags were intercepted in Nyandarua County along the Nyeri – Nyahururu highway.
One vehicle was carrying 150 bags and another contained 160 extended bags, according to Ndaragwa police chief Nancy Jerobom.
The regulations banned packaging of potatoes in extended bags and approved the 50 kilogramme bag.
Nyandarua, Nakuru, Narok, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Meru and West Pokot counties are implementing the potato regulations in conjunction with the State Department for Crop Development, Agriculture and Food Authority, National Potato Council of Kenya and the Agricultural Council of Kenya.
AFA director-general Kello Harsama says they want to ensure packaging in the required standard of 50Kg is adhered to and that enforcement will be implemented in the entire value chain from the farm to the markets. This will be extended to 10 other potato-growing counties.
Source: Sunday World