1. Phytosanitary and Regulatory Perspective of MLN
FRANCIS MWATUNI
Website:

2. KEPHIS (Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service)
A state corporation in the ministry of Agriculture mandated to offer regulatory services in the agricultural sector. VISION: The Lead Regulator And Facilitator Of Globally Competitive Agriculture MISSION: To Provide A Science-Based Regulatory Service By Assuring Quality Of Agricultural Inputs And Produce To Promote Food Security And Sustainable Development

3. Legal Framework Agriculture Act, Cap 318
Agricultural Produce (Export) Act, Cap 319
Agricultural Produce Marketing Act, Cap 320
Plant Protection Act, Cap 324
The Suppression of Noxious Weeds Act, Cap 325

4. Legal Framework Cont. The Seeds and Plant varieties Act, Cap 326
The Fertilizers and Animal Foodstuffs Act, Cap 345
The Pest Control Products Act, Cap 346
Biosafety Act, 2009
Supported by a number of International Instruments such UPOV Convention, OECD seed scheme etc

5. KEPHIS Activities in relation to MLND
Disease surveillance
Laboratory diagnostics of MLN
- For local and imported seed as well as post control testing of maize seed
- Has laboratory capacity to test MLND
Centralized regulation of maize seed imports
Seed Certification process
Training and sensitization of stakeholders

6. MLN Disease Surveillance
KEPHIS has been involved in the collaborative field surveys e.g. Maize National Tour
Surveillance by inspectors form the Plant Quarantine and Biosecurity Station (PQBS)
MLN Surveillance coordinated by KEPHIS Pest Risk Analysis Team(KEPHIS-HQ
Surveillance by KEPHIS Inspectors in other regional offices
Surveillance Samples analyzed at KEPHIS Plant Quarantine molecular laboratory for MCMV & SCMV

7. Laboratory Diagnostics on MLND
Capacity Building on MLND diagnostics done at FERA-UK; January 2013.
Focused on Real-Time PCR assays for seed testing
A seed testing protocol developed
KEPHIS adopted the protocol
Currently involved in routine testing of MCMV and SCMV for advisory services and seed certification ( local and imported seeds)

8. Laboratory diagnostics
Diagnostics equipment
in the Molecular lab and
analysts doing
Nucleic acids extraction

9. Centralized regulation of maize seed/grain imports
All Requests to import maize seed are controlled at KEPHIS-HQ Karen.
Also imports of maize grain has been centralized
Maize seed importers required to send a representative sample to KEPHIS for MLN Screening prior to importation.

10. Seed import/export Regulation
Only registered seed merchants are allowed to import/export seed
An SR14 form is filled to notify kephis for the intention to im port or export seed.
A plant Import Import permit is issued for the importation.
Seed can also be imported by researchers for experimental purposes

11. Import regulation and Phytosanitary measures
Due to the threats of introducing new strains of MCMV, seed samples are delivered to Kephis Plant health labs for screening for the two viruses.
A plant Import permit is issued for importation once the lot is declared to be free from the viruses.
The imported seed is subjected to seed testing in the Seed testing lab In Kephis,Lanet.

12. MLND Viruses transmission
Seed transmission of the MCMV is very low
It was determined that out of 42,000 seeds, only 17 seeds will transmit MCMV (Stanely et al 1991).
ScMV is not known to be transmitted through seed (Humaydan, 1979).

13. Devastated field

14. Seed Certification Measures
Field Inspection of Seed fields is based on the minimum thresholds for rejection at 10%.
Agreement with seed companies to implement recommendations for preventing MLND infection
Seed companies have adopted the dressing of the seed with systemic insecticides e.g Thunder, gaucho, Cruiser.

15. Inspectors in the field
A devastated seed field
A seed Inspector in the field

16. Seed Certification Measures
Seed is also dressed with fungicides, eg Maxim and Royalcap
PCPB is currently evaluating several insecticides for seed dressing that can protect the maize crop in the field for a longer period

17. Participation in stakeholder awareness programs
Early 2013, involved in MLND awareness program coordinated by MOA in collaboration with FAO.
Covered different maize production regions around the country
Focused on early detection of symptoms, and the available management options

18. Stakeholders a wareness forums
Bomet
Olenguruon

19. Infected babycorn crop in Naivasha

20. THANK YOU