Kenyan Poultry Farmers Object to US Market Access Demands

News in Brief: - Kenyan poultry farmers are protesting potential US demands for access to its local market for finished products within a bilateral trade deal. - They fear increased competition could harm their industry and are calling for transparency in the negotiation process. Kenyan poultry farmers are voicing concerns over alleged demands from the United States regarding the ongoing trade negotiations for a US-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP). The Poultry Breeders Association of Kenya (PBAK), representing breeders, hatcheries, and meat processors, claims the US is pushing for access to the Kenyan market for finished poultry products. PBAK alleges, in a news report, that they learned of the demands during a stakeholders' forum held by the Kenyan State Department of Trade. The association claims the department has not provided them with draft texts outlining the specific US proposals. This lack of transparency has fuelled concerns among Kenyan poultry producers. They fear that increased competition from established US producers could harm the domestic poultry industry, potentially leading to job losses and economic hardship. However, it is important to note that details of the ongoing negotiations remain confidential. PBAK's concerns highlight the potential challenges associated with trade agreements, particularly when there are significant differences in the development stages of national industries.