Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1083609,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1083609/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 314,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Moiben, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Silas Tiren",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2364,
        "legal_name": "Silas Kipkoech Tiren",
        "slug": "silas-kipkoech-tiren"
    },
    "content": "areas where their interest is allocated. To address this, the Committee will propose amendments to ensure that famers’ interests in terms of markets are taken care of adequately, amongst regulation of sugar imports into the country and criteria to be met before the importation is done. The Committee noted that local industries have become insolvent due to the non-regulation of imports, which is something of concern and needs to be looked into. There is also need to provide a framework of quality, safety and health control measures related to sugar. This will ensure quality, standardisation, health standards and environmental standards as well as proper frameworks and the Sugar Dispute Tribunal. The sponsor also mentioned something about addressing disputes in the first instance. There is need to provide a framework for inspections of licence, premises and general safety to the environment. Research is also very important and as my colleagues also mentioned. Proper research needs to be done in the sugar sector thus the Committee saw the need to establish a sugar research institute with functions related to research and policy. There is need to provide appointments of crop inspectors with specific functions and frameworks to facilitate the inspection in order to improve on the sector. There is also the need to create framework and functions of the county governments in relation to sugar, guided by the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution. The Committee will be proposing amongst other functions that will support and improve enforcement and monitor compliance with standards among the sugar value chain to facilitate value addition and product diversification in the sugar sector. This will formulate and implement the strategic plan for the sugar sector, at least, every five years, formulate the guidelines and efficiency of economical transportation of sugar, conduct local and international sugar markets intelligence and advice stakeholders accordingly, and establish linkage with various Government agencies and research institutes to enhance quality assurance in research. These functions are missing in the Bill hence the Committee felt that there is need to add that. We will have opportunity when we come to the Committee of the whole House, so that we can add on what we feel and Hon. Members will look at the Report. Lastly, it has been envisaged that with the enactment of the Crops Act No.16 of 2013, and the Agriculture and Food Authority Act No.13 of 2013, the challenges that faced the agricultural sector particularly crops, would be effective and adequately addressed. However, this has not been the case and the farmer has borne the brunt. This is not just for the sugar sector alone, but also tea, coffee, cereals and other crops. The Sugar Bill, 2019 seeks to take the farmers back to their days of glory. The farmers’ woes are addressed. It may not be perfect, but it seeks to give the sugar sector its much deserved attention in the country. I wish to state that the enactment of the same will solve the teething problems in the sugar sector. I urge the Hon. Members to go through the Report as it is a good one. I thank the Members of the Committee who worked together to make sure we have a very good Report. I would like to thank them for the good work. I support."
}