The European Union has welcomed the Ugandan government's self-imposed ban on the export of chillies and substandard vegetables to Europe, saying it was beginning to spoil the market for Ugandan goods.
Speaking last week in Kampala, the EU head of delegation to Uganda Attilio Pacifici, said Uganda must "clean up its house" because unscrupulous traders are exporting substandard vegetables and chillies, which is hurting genuine exporters.
"There is a very big market for chillies in Europe. What is the use of sending chillies that have maggots? You are killing the market for both the country and the buyers in Europe," he said, adding that it is good government has halted the exports before the EU stepped in.
Pacifici said Uganda must ensure goods that are exported meet standards: "We are happy that the Agriculture Ministry realised this and put a self-imposed ban on the export of the horticulture."
Source: allafrica.com