Sen. Joyce Korir has sought a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism on non-compliance with standard weights and measures in tea marketing affecting smallholder farmers.

In her request Sen. Korir wants the committee to shed light on reports of non- compliance with standard weights and measures in tea growing zones, stating specific measures the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry is implementing to ensure that weighing equipment used in tea buying centres is calibrated and is in compliance with the Weights and Measures Act (CAP.523).

The committee is expected to state plans to strengthen the enforcement of regulations governing compliance to standard weights and measures in the agriculture sector, specifically in tea growing areas beside stating the initiatives in place to improve extension services and enhance negotiation skills among smallholder tea farmers to effectively deal with tea brokers and traders in the tea markets who exploit farmers.

Further, the lawmaker wants the committee to cause the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry and the Department of weights and Measures to deploy more county officers to inspect weighing machines at tea buying centres, stating resources required to enhance compliance.