Toxins undermine food exports

Efforts by Rwanda to increase exports in order to bridge its trade deficit are being stifled by limited scope of testing mycotoxins, substances considered toxic to human and animal life if consumed in large quantities, according to Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS).While recent statistics depict a rise in exports that are composed of live animals, vegetables, fruits, cereals and milling products among others, RBS says that the country’s food products are struggling to attract demand on the international market due to limited certified reference materials. Central bank figures show that last year, Rwanda generated US$48m (Rwf29b) from the products mentioned compared to US$33m (Rwf19.7b) in 2010. “In international trade, there is an increasing drive for commodities free of pesticide residues, insects, moulds, mycotoxins, or other contaminants. It is, therefore, essential for nations trading in grain and other staple commodities to implement systems and regulations that ensure that shipments are accepted on arrival at importing countries,” explained Dr Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, the Director General of RBS. Rwanda has not yet experienced high levels of mycotoxins, according to RBS, but the desire to bolster her trade sector, where imports surpass exports means that the country must put in place conformity assessment that will help boost food exports. Rwanda’s exports currently stand at US$743.5m compared to US$1.5bn of imports.“To expand international trade, countries cannot underestimate the importance of internationally recognised and accepted testing, metrology, accreditation, standardisation, and quality practices,” Bagabe noted, stressing that the costly problem of discriminatory, non-transparent, and unnecessary obstacles to trade will persist unless trade partners use similar or equivalent standards, conformity assessment procedures and recognise certification results from partners. “One of the main challenges faced by the international trading system is the variation in certification, testing, inspection practices, and standards used by different countries,” he said, Tuesday, during the signing of a partnership between RBS and Safety Food Africa (SAFOA).The partnership will see SAFOA provide accredited testing laboratories that will support the attainment of an operational, internationally recognised national quality infrastructure aimed at delivering efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of high quality standards and conformity assessment services.Samuel Clark, the Managing Director of SAFOA disclosed that a US$500,000 (Rwf300m) laboratory will be set up to improve provide testing services, a move that will possibly increase Rwanda’s food exports to American and European markets.Rwanda also intends to increase food exports to Nigeria following a recent bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. “The issues in process control are to find a way of reducing risks,” he said, adding that with efficient and standard laboratory tests, mycotoxins can be controlled to a large extent.Ramlah Mugiraneza, the proprietor of Imena Dairy and Green Foods Ltd noted that certification of food stuffs will help improve their sales as it will increase consumer confidence and help local producers to compete with their counterparts in the region.“It’s very considerate of the government to have made these efforts, the more foods that are certified, the more safe they become and also consumers become confident to consume, which will be helping us to increase our profits,” she pointed out.

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Toxins undermine food exports