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THE EXPORT AGENDA
BACHUMA QUARANTINE FACILITY TO REVOLUTIONISE THE LIVESTOCK EXPORT TRADE “A professionally operated quarantine is required by importing countries to ensure that livestock are free from disease. By James Kariuki
K
enya’s first commercial quarantine facility at Bachuma, Taita Taveta County could revolutionise the livestock export trade attracting foreign buyers to Kenya’s shores.
Having disease-free Opening new revenue streams for pastoralists, county and national governments, the 15,000-acre facility will create a formalised avenue for pastoralists to dispose of quarantine surplus livestock at handsome prices. facility is a Having disease-free quarantine facility is a mandatory requirement for anyone eyeing livestock export as it provides treatments and antibiotic withholding times to ensure mandatory that the animal is not slaughtered with antibiotic residues that could endanger the human food chain. requirement Bachuma which received Kshs. 380 million budgetary allocation was selected due for anyone to its proximity to Mombasa Port and has a Standard Gauge Railway line passing near it making it suitable for use as a pre-shipment holding facility. eyeing On March 2, 2022 Livestock and Fisheries Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) livestock Lawrence Omuhaka announced that Sh100 million had been allocated for the project’s completion by Techniques Supplies Limited after a three year delay. export According to international export zones operator, Livestock Trade Services (LTS) which was involved in designing of the facility, Bachuma is a highly fortified facility that will be truly isolated from livestock, wildlife, and people.
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