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Table 3.9 Export permit requirements, 2014
H.S. Code: 25.05
Description of goods: Sand
Controlling agencies/documents required: Authorization from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
Rationale: Ecology and environmental protection

In order to adjust to this changing environment and to ensure the continued survival of the sugar cane industry, Mauritius has been implementing the Multi-Annual Adaption Strategy 2006 2015, which, inter alia, seeks to diversify away from sugar production from sugar cane to the production of electricity and ethanol (Box 4.1). Mauritius has received financial support from the European Union in order to help it implement this plan. The authorities are currently preparing a new multi-annual adaption strategy for 2016 to 2020 and are making arrangements to commission a study on the economic, social, and environmental impact on Mauritius of the abolition of internal quotas of sugar in the EU market for 2016 to 2020.

As part of the Government's sugar reform process there have been significant institutional changes.The Mauritius Cane Industry Authority (MCIA) established in 2011, replaced six previously existing service providers. (…) Among the functions and objectives of the MCIA are to: promote and support the sustainable development, efficiency, and viability of the sugar-cane industry; maintain a pool of machinery for agricultural purposes; to focus research and development on sugar cane biomass; (…)

The Food Security Strategic Plan 2013-2015 was prepared by the MAIFS (Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security) to build on the previous plan and to incorporate actions to be implemented under the Government Programme 2013-2015 (see Chapter 2). The plan's key goals are to achieve certain levels of self-sufficiency in key commodities (33% self-sufficiency in food, 10% self-sufficiency in milk, and 15% self sufficiency in meat), which would involve raising production levels. Additionally, the plan seeks to promote exports and create new opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and rural families to increase farm income and productivity, while conserving the natural biodiversity and providing a safe, sufficient, and nutritious food supply. The main areas of intervention in the plan are set out in Box 4.2. The budget to fulfil the plan's actions is just over MUR 1 billion.

Box 4.2 Food Security Strategic Plan 2013-2015, key areas of intervention
(…)
R&D activities for the development of sustainable agricultural practices based on resource conservation technologies and best management practices to optimize use of natural resources, crop varieties, livestock breeds, feed resources, and to improve productivity of livestock and crops such as potato, onion, pulses, garlic, maize, mushroom, and local fruits, and protect the natural environment
(…)

As responsible/green tourism is gathering momentum, the aim of Government is to steer Mauritius onto a greener growth path. Already, initiatives are being taken by operators to mitigate the negative impacts on our natural resources e.g adoption of environmental friendly, energy and water-saving devices. However, Government and private operators need to go even further in their commitment towards the protection and preservation of the environment.

The National Forest Policy notes that, there are no communal forests and no communities living within or dependent on the forests. It further notes that private owners of forests have been more inclined to use this land for eco-tourism projects or housing developments, rather than for timber production, since the former is more profitable.

(…) Due to limited land resources and an increasing population, timber exploitation in Mauritius is expected to be gradually phased out. Therefore the focus of policy is on conservation and sustainable forest management.

The Forestry Service and the National Parks and Conservation Service within the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security are responsible for the management of State forest lands. The two main governing laws are the Forests and Reserves Act 1983 and the Wildlife and National Parks Act 1993. The policy framework for management and development of the sector is the 2006 National Forest Policy. Forests in Mauritius are public or private; 22,108 hectares of forests are owned by the State (of which 8,326 hectares are protected by laws as nature reserves and national parks), and 25,000 hectares are in private hands, of which 6,553 hectares are protected by law as mountain and river reserves.

According to the authorities, the major challenges facing the fishing industry include: sourcing raw materials for the tuna processing industry (i.e. the tuna fish itself); stringent rules of origin imposed on exports, and the erosion of EU preferential market access; the protection and conservation of fish stocks, including combating illegal fishing; sustainability issues; and piracy in the Indian Ocean.