The increasing threat of the False Codling Moth (FCM) (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) has posed a serious challenge to market access to Rose flowers in the European Union (EU) market.
Kenya’s floriculture industry is crucial to the country’s economy, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings, job creation, and agricultural development. Roses, which account for 34% of Kenya’s flower exports to the EU, are particularly vital.
The False Codling Moth is a quarantine pest native to Sub-Saharan Africa, known for its destructive larvae that feed on a wide range of crops, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers. In roses, FCM infestations can compromise flower quality, leading to interceptions and stricter inspection measures in international markets especially in the EU.
Since 2017, the EU has classified FCM as a regulated quarantine pest, requiring stringent controls to prevent its spread through imports.
Due to repeated detections in Kenyan rose shipments, the EU has progressively tightened inspections, increasing sampling rates from 5% in 2020 to 25% as of May 2024. In response to ongoing concerns, the EU introduced Regulation (EU) 2024/2004, which will take effect on April 26, 2025, mandating stricter pest management measures for roses exported to EU member states.
Recognizing the situation’s urgency, Kenyan authorities, led by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), have developed the Rose False Codling Moth Systems Approach (Rose FCMSA). This comprehensive protocol establishes measures to prevent, detect, and control FCM at every production stage, from pre-harvest to export. It aligns with the EU’s “systems approach”, ensuring that Kenyan roses meet the EU’s zero-tolerance threshold for FCM.
To finalize the protocol, KEPHIS convened a consultative meeting on January 15, 2025, at the Argyle Hotel in Nairobi. The forum brought together key stakeholders among them flower farmers and exporters, the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) and Fresh Produce Consortium Kenya, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development representatives, Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), Horticultural Crop Directorate (AFA-HCD) and other relevant government agencies
The meeting provided an opportunity to review the draft protocol and build consensus on its implementation.
Failure to meet EU phytosanitary standards could lead to a ban on Kenyan rose exports, jeopardizing thousands of jobs and the industry’s revenue. Given that roses are a flagship export for Kenya, compliance with EU regulations is not an option it is a necessity.
“The situation we are in as a country can be described as a ‘catch-22.’ However, we are committed to making the tough decisions necessary to maintain our presence in the EU market and safeguard the investments made in the floriculture industry,” said KEPHIS Managing Director, Prof. Theophilus Mutui.
With the Rose FCMSA protocol validated, KEPHIS will submit it to the EU for review and approval. Once accepted, implementation will begin immediately, ensuring that Kenya is fully compliant before the April 26, 2025, deadline.
This protocol reflects a collective commitment by government agencies, industry players, and exporters to safeguard Kenya’s floriculture sector. By meeting the EU’s phytosanitary standards, Kenya aims to protect its reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality roses, strengthen its foothold in the EU flower market and ensure long-term sustainability and competitiveness in global trade.
