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Departments & other bodies
Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute (MSIRI)
The Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute (MSIRI) is represented on the Plant Biosecurity Technical Committee and assists the NPPO mainly in the:
- identification and diagnosis of pests and diseases intercepted in agricultural commodities imported from other countries.
- Introduction, quarantine, diagnosis and investigation in relation to new sugarcane varieties. In order to prevent introduction of diseases in imported clones, these are quarantined in the MSIRI facility. The quarantine system has proved to be efficient in intercepting major pathogen entry such as sugarcane mosaic virus.
Entomology Division
The movement of pests around the world can have devastating consequences on national plant resources and food security. To prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests and to ensure that biosecurity measures are successfully being implemented, officers at the NPPO work in close collaboration with the Entomology Division.
The collaboration of the Entomology Division is sought at different levels.
- Ship inspection
Ship inspection is carried out for all incoming ship vessels. The Entomology Division is informed for interception of insects on ship vessels during inspection and fumigation is carried out accordingly. Moreover insects are collected and sent to Entomology Division for identification and follow-up.
- Fumigation of containers
The collaboration of the Entomology Division is also sought for fumigation of containers meant for export and import in the Port Area, Government and Parastatal buildings/yards.
- Pest surveillance
Inspection of incoming agricultural cargo is carried out by NPPO officers posted at Airport and Port Area. For any interception of pests, samples of plants and plant products, growing mediums, seeds and propagating material are taken according to established procedures and sent to the Entomology Division for identification.
- Setting up and monitoring of Light Traps
During the implementation of White grub protocol from 1st November to 15th January, light traps are set at Airport and Port Area for insect monitoring.
Food Technology Laboratory
The NPPO collaborates with the Food Technology Laboratory by participating in National Codex Committees together with other stakeholders involved in the National Food Control Systems. The Head of the Food Technology Laboratory is the CODEX CONTACT POINT for Mauritius.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX) dealing with Food Safety
Codex is the main international food standard-setting organisation. The Codex Alimentarius is a science-based organization. Independent experts and specialists in a wide range of disciplines have contributed to its work to ensure that its standards withstand the most rigorous scientific scrutiny. The work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, together with that of FAO and WHO in their supportive roles, has provided a focal point for food-related scientific research and investigation, and the Commission itself has become an important international medium for the exchange of scientific information about the safety of food. Collaboration between WTO and the Codex Alimentarius concerns the use of international food safety standards in the context of the SPS Agreement. The standards of Codex have also proved an important reference point for the dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO.
Le Codex :a global process;during the year,Codex work takes place over the 5 continents ; over and above the annual plenary session of the Commission, the Codex has 17 committees, six regional coordination committees and various working groups.
Achievements of the Codex
Over the years, the Codex has developed over 200 standards covering processed, semi-processed or unprocessed foods intended for sale for the consumer or for intermediate processing; 50 hygienic and technological codes of practice; 76 Directives; evaluated over 4000 maximum levels for 303 food additives and 75 veterinary drugs; set more than 4800 maximum levels for pesticide residues; and specified over 105 maximum limits for 18 food contaminants; 30 guidelines for contaminants.
Codex activities in Mauritius
It is important for countries to participate in the standards and rule-making process and at the WTO level. To ensure participation in Codex standard-setting activities, it is important to have effective coordination mechanisms among stakeholders involved in the national food control system. This includes involvement of ministries and institutions responsible for health, agriculture, industry, trade, standards, commerce, and, among others, private sector, academia, consumers organisations. Coordination of codex activities starts with the operation of Codex Contact Points (CCP). The CCP of Mauritius is the Principal Scientific Officer of the Food Science and Technology Division under the Ministry of Agro Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries. The CCP coordinates all relevant Codex activities within the country. National Codex committees (NCCs) are established in many countries to supplement the work of the Codex contact points and facilitate communication among all stakeholders in Codex. The NCC in Mauritius falls under the aegis of the Ministry of Agro Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries and has been hosted by the Food echnology Laboratory since 2010. This has enhanced the participation of Mauritius in the international standard setting process. NCC members participate in Codex committees through Electronic Working Groups.
Conclusion
Through the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, Member state governments define the international food standards using scientific information, which serves as basis for ensuring public health goals such as food safety and nutrition. It is difficult to imagine the food trade without standards. Food standards allow consumers to have trust in the safety, quality and authenticity of the food they are eating. Moreover, safe food trade contributes towards the provision of adequate, safe and nutritious food for the increasing global population.
The National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS)
The NPPO collaborates with the NPCS by participating in the Invasive Alien Species Committee.
Introduction
The NPCS was officially established in 1994 to be responsible for all issues related to the conservation of terrestrial flora and fauna in Mauritius and for the provision of related advice. It is governed by the Wildlife and National Parks Act (1993), and NPCS has upgraded the legislative framework to provide an overall protection to all biodiversity and to be in line with International Conventions especially Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES and Convention on Biological Diversity CBD (two major biodiversity related conventions).
Invasive Alien Species
While the NPCS continues its conservation activities and maintains these sites, there are other critical activities related to protection from loss and degradation. Invasive alien species (IAS) have been singled out as a major cause of bio-diversity loss. These are introduced plants, animals and micro-organisms whose establishment and spread threaten ecosystems, habitats or species (including humans). IAS thus represent a major threat to the economy, environment and society. Over the years, a variety of actions have been undertaken to address this threat but in spite of some significant successes, the problems posed by IAS appear to be increasing.
For a comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing IAS issues, a National Invasive Alien Species Committee (NIASC) was established to develop a National Invasive Alien Species Strategy as a first step to the management the IAS threat with the involvement of non-governmental and civil society organisations, the private sector and the general public..
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a multilateral treaty whose aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of named identified wild endangered animals and plants does not threaten the survival of such endangered species in the wild. Mauritius is a signatory. CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of listed species to certain controls. These require that all import, export, re-export and introduction of species covered by the Convention have to be authorized through a permitting system, and non-compliance is subject to confiscation, inter alia. The NPPO keeps up to date on the current listing of Species protected under CITES to ensure that Mauritius lives up to its commitments under CITES
Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute (MSIRI)
NPPO seeks collaboration with other institutions:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade
- Mauritius Revenue Authority
- Ministry of Health and Quality of Life
- Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Mauritius Tourism Authority
- Cargo Handling Corporation
- Department of Civil Aviation
- Airport of Mauritius
- ATOL
- Airlines companies
- Shipping companies