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{
    "id": 1545405,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1545405/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 190,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mungatana, MGH",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "My prayer is that every time we go to these international meetings, the point must be made that Africa should not be segregated. We should not use these standards to deny opportunity to do business. Already, we suffer a lot. It takes a lot of effort for us to access the markets in the EU. It is sad that they are now developing more standards that are excluding animal products and other products from the agriculture sector coming from Africa. I am happy that the report that was read to us and laid on this Table has said that members raised concern about this. Some of the standards that the EU is creating are not genuine. Those are standards that are specifically created to exclude the Pacific and African nations from their markets. That promotes their own products so that their intra- trade within the EU is increased at the expense of African and Pacific nations. My prayer is that the EU will take note. This is the reason I have said, and I am going back to the point that even as we work with the EU, it is time for us to also look at the new kid on the block; BRICS. If we are able to tell the EU that their standards do not make sense, but we have our friends in China, Russia, India and all the BRICS nation, then they will start treating us with dignity. Some of the standards and requirements make it impossible for our potatoes, for example, to reach the European markets, and yet we are supposed to be in the same block, friends and countries that are cooperating together. I am glad that this issue was debated in that Parliament. My prayer is that the EU would note. Right now, the European Union and countries in Europe in general need new friends because the United States of America (USA) has decided that they are not going to be pandering to the EU anymore. The new administration has been very tough on them in terms of putting up, without hesitation, tariffs against their products whenever the situation calls for it. It is time for the EU to also look for new friends within the Pacific and African region. One of the things it could do, instead of creating standards that are oppressive to our export products, they should now start creating more-friendly environment for us to trade because their traditional partner, the USA, is no longer as friendly as it used to be. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with all those many remarks, I second this Report. I urge that our international engagements continue, so that the presence of Kenya, this Senate and the National Assembly is felt as it should. We should maintain our position as an influential country across the world in various fora. I beg to second. Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir."
}