Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Peter Munya has directed all sugar importers to register a fresh under new regulations introduced to reform the sugar industry.
Those who fail to register will have their licences revoked.
Munya urged importers to study the new rules and guidelines before applying for registration and for annual permits.
The government had temporarily suspended the importation one July 2 following an influx of supplies that led to market distortions and reduced priced at the manufacturing level.
“Imports that undermine the local industry and depress farmers’ incomes are neither desirable nor sustainable. It is with the aim of safeguarding the local industry and improving farmers’ income that the ministry gazetted the Sugar Imports, Exports and By-products Regulations, 2020,” Munya said.
The new regulation will structure the registration of importers, distribution in the market and packaging to stem the influx of contraband sugar.
“No sugar will be imported or exported outside the framework of these regulations and guidelines,” Munya said.
The new rules became effective on May 27 while the import and export regulations came into force on July 10 after following the laid process.
Growers, out growers institutions, millers and the umbrella bodies under which they operate will also have to register.
Munya said millers’ umbrella associations will register with AFA to allow visibility and to effectiveness while pursuing their interests since it is an organised platform through which they can engage other key industry players and regulators.
