Kenya has received recognition from the European Union (EU) as a low-risk country under its newly introduced deforestation regulations a designation that offers relief to local agricultural exporters concerned about the potential cost burdens of complying with the law.
The positive classification was confirmed during a high-level meeting between Kenya’s Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary, Senator Mutahi Kagwe, and the EU Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, held at Kilimo House in Nairobi. The talks also included senior officials from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and the Agriculture and Food Authority’s Coffee Directorate.
At the heart of the discussions was the need to strengthen agricultural trade relations between Kenya and the EU, while also addressing emerging concerns tied to the EU’s evolving environmental and compliance standards. The EU’s new deforestation law, set to come into effect soon, seeks to ensure that products entering the European market are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation.
CS Kagwe lauded the EU for acknowledging Kenya’s efforts to improve its environmental footprint, particularly through expanded tree cover. He pointed out that crops like avocado and coffee are playing a dual role boosting the country’s exports while simultaneously supporting reforestation initiatives.
“Kenya has made substantial strides in environmental conservation,” Kagwe said. “Our growing tree cover is a reflection of our commitment to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.”
However, he raised concerns about the unpredictability of regulatory changes, warning against what he described as “shifting goalposts” by the EU, which could strain Kenya’s competitiveness in the European market. Kagwe emphasized the need for consistency and support, especially for small-scale farmers who bear the brunt of increased compliance costs.
“If you must shift the goalpost, provide support,” he urged, citing the example of the recently implemented False Codling Moth (FCM) Systems Approach Protocol for rose flower exports—another regulatory hurdle Kenyan exporters have had to navigate.
With Kenya’s low-risk classification, exporters are hopeful that their access to the lucrative EU market will remain stable, even as global environmental standards continue to tighten.
