Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential effects on access of Kenyan products to the UK of (a) ratification and (b) non-ratification by the East African Region of an interim economic partnership agreement with the EU.

Ratification of either an interim or comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) would mean the European Commission undertakes procedures allowing Kenya to receive duty-free, quota-free access on its exports to the EU. Non-ratification of an EPA would mean that some Kenyan products would face tariffs when exported to the EU from 1 October 2014. Between 2008 and 2012, Kenyan exports to the UK had an average annual value of $520 million. Without an EPA, BIS officials have estimated that $300 million of Kenyan exports would remain duty-free. $220 million of Kenyan exports to the UK would face tariffs costing around $14 million per annum. These new charges would mostly affect exports of vegetables and cut flowers.

Negotiations of EPAs have been ongoing for the previous twelve years. UK Ministers are working closely with partners in Europe and East Africa to encourage urgent ratification of a development friendly agreement.