Nation Reporter
17 October 2008
Nairobi — Operators in the tea industry have until December 31, 2008, to comply with the new regulations that seek to address various challenges facing the industry.
The Tea Licensing, Regulation and Trade regulations 2008, which took effect on October 3 this year, require all tea growers, factories, buyers, exporters, packers, management agents, importers and warehousemen to renew their licenses annually.
Licenses and registration
"All licenses and registration certificates issued by the Tea Board of Kenya before the commencement of these regulations (October 3), shall expire on December 31, 2008," the Tea Board of Kenya said on Friday.
In a paid up advertisement appearing in the press, the board called on all the industry stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions specified under the regulations.
The regulations, which were gazetted by Agriculture minister William Ruto on October 3, aim to protect and promote the tea industry by improving transparency and injecting competitiveness in the operations, thereby improving service delivery and enhancing efficiency.
As part of the reforms earmarked for the sector, they give the industry regulator total control over the industry right from the farm to the dining table.
For instance, manufactures, packers, buyers, exporters and importers, are required to furnish the board with their monthly and annual returns.
Failure to comply, the regulator has powers to cancel, suspend or vary any of the licenses after consultations with the minister.
In relation to farmers' complaints over low earnings for their crop deliveries, the regulations propose a continuous audit of the rules governing the weekly Mombasa tea auction and will be approved by the board annually.
Publication of regulation came a day after President Kibaki directed the Agriculture ministry to resolve problems in the sector that have forced some farmers to uproot the cash crop.
The regulations are part of the recommendations of the Tea Industry Task Force, which presented its report to Mr Ruto's predecessor, Kipruto Arap Kirwa, in August 2007.
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