WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SPS/GEN/526 
27 October 2004 
 (04-4556) 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
THE MAURITIAN EXPE RIENCE WITH THE SPS AGREEMENT  
FROM THE INDIAN OCEAN PERSPECTIVE 
 
Communication by Mauritius 
 
 
 The following communication, received on 25 Octo ber 2004, is being circulated at the request 
of the Delegation of Mauritius. 
 
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I. THE MAURITIAN EXPE RIENCE WITH THE SPS AGREEMENT  
A. I
NTRODUCTION  
1. With the accession of Mauritius to the WTO in  January 1995, Mauritius found itself being 
party and committed to a whole range  of agreements, decisions and understandings, including the SPS 
Agreement. Being a net food importer, we are awar e of the fact that SPS measures imposed by our 
trading partners should not represent disguised trad e barriers, should be scientifically based and be 
established on the basis of an appropriate risk a ssessment.  Regarding our exports, we are fully 
cognizant that the most promising option to mainta in and expand our agricultu ral and food exports is 
to become able to respond to th e exigencies which are emerging in our target markets by providing 
high quality and safe products.  Our main concern is how to ensure that consumers of our country are 
being supplied with food that is safe to eat while at the same time ensu ring that strict health and safety 
regulations are not being used as an excuse for protec ting domestic producers.  With the globalization 
process trade is expanding and Mauritius is havi ng to address various policy issues such as 
strengthening our national and regional capacity to conduct risk analysis and increasing our 
participation in internati onal standards development. 
B. MEETING OUR INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS WITH THE ADVENT OF THE SPS  AGREEMENT  
Measures initiated by the Government 
 
2. With the advent of the WTO SPS Agreement we found ourselves in a situation whereby 
priority had to be geared towards food safety, an imal health and plant h ealth based on scientific 
evidence.  We had no other alternatives than to am end and review our legislation so as to be in line 
with international standards.  We are thus proposi ng to amend our Plants Act, the Animal and Disease 
Act and have enacted a Food Act and a Genetically Modified Organism Act, coming shortly are Seed 
legislation and a Plants Breeder’s Right legislation.  A particular concern for the horticultural sector is 
the potential impact of European pesticide regul ations whereby import tolerances for pesticide 
residues for as many as 450 chemical active ingredient s have been reduced.  In this context Mauritius 
is benefiting from the Pesticides Initiative Programme  (PIP) of the Liaison Committee Europe-Africa-
Caribbean-Pacific (COLEACP), whose purpose is to  work for the promotion of ACP horticultural 
products.  The setting up of a quality system for th e horticultural export sector is another important G/SPS/GEN/526 
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 initiative.  The project has the overall objective of enhancing the competitiveness of Mauritian 
horticultural producers/exporters on the world market  through increasing the capacity of stakeholders 
in the horticultural sector in order to ensure re gular production, supply and export of higher quality 
horticultural products.  The key activities include im plementation of a National Code of Practice for 
the industry, capacity building, training and the overall upgrading of skills  and know-how in the 
horticultural sector.  
3. The Government is also setting up a modern Food Technology laboratory, accredited for the 
control of the quality of agricultural produce destined for local consumption as well as for 
exportation. 
Familiarisation with the SPS Agreement 
 
4. Abiding by our obligations under the SPS Agreem ent was initially not an easy task.  Slowly 
we became familiar with the Agreement by atte nding workshops, seminars and the SPS Committee in 
Geneva.  We have entered into a number of tr ade protocols for import and export of agricultural 
commodities with our trading partners on the basis of pest free areas, equivalence and other science-
based conditions. 
New Challenges faced by our local stakeholders 
 
5. With globalization our importers and exporte rs are now confronted with new challenges 
arising from new markets.  Our traditional import ma rkets in South Africa, Australia and Europe are 
giving way to imports from other countries like South Am erica (e.g Brazil, Argen tina), with the result 
that our country is being exposed to the formul ation of new import conditions based on the necessary 
pest risk assessment.  In order to meet the challenges under the SPS Agreement, a number of 
alterations are being carried out by our se rvices while others are being awaited.  . 
Special and differential treatment and the need for technical assistance 
 
6. The exigencies of applying the various SPS measu res cannot be underestimated, though effort 
is being done locally to meet our international commitm ent.  It is not an easy task for our economy to 
take the load of extra expenditure for the upgrading of our services.  In this context, the provision is of 
utmost importance. 
7. An evaluation of our SPS capacity has been carri ed out by two international teams, namely 
from (a) the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Intern ational Trade Centre;  and (b) The USAID.  A 
certain number of recommendations have been made in their reports, in order to help Mauritius meet 
its sanitary and phytosanitary obligations on the international market and thereby promote our 
agricultural exports on the international market , including the European Communities.  These 
recommendations include: 
(a) Promulgation of laws that c ontribute to an effective food regulatory authority and that 
enable it to issue and enforce standards a nd other regulatory requirements for food 
and agricultural products;  
(b) Training of staff in relation to internati onal standards and the SPS Agreement e.g. in 
relation to capacity to carry pest ri sk assessment and quarantine procedures, 
preparation of a pest list and a disease list, certification and inspection procedures, epidemiological surveillance procedures and for risk analysis; 
(c) Hard infrastructure development and development/strengt hening of national 
infrastructures for demonstrating compliance with technical regulations and SPS  G/SPS/GEN/526 
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 measures in export market, e.g. upgrading of existing laboratories for determination 
of pesticides residues and acceptable tole rance levels of pests and diseases; 
(d) Soft infrastructure development like the development of pest list and capacity to 
conduct pest risk assessment especially as technical assistance in combination with 
local efforts could have a key role to play in developing the infrastructure and 
programmes needed to support export certification of targeted products; 
(e) Technical assistance to help in identification and implementation of equivalent 
measures.  Recognition of equivalence is a great tool for achieving greater market 
access to developed country markets and facilitating trade among all Members.  Many difficulties could be foreseen for the implementation of equivalence, these 
include the cost  (administrative, technical  knowledge and financial) of entering into 
equivalence agreements and the North-S outh dimension.  The ultimate goals for 
regional or international harmonization can  only be achieved when the countries 
involved have implemented e quivalent standards and mech anisms to assure that 
standards actually will be met in line with the "farm to table approach"; 
(f) Setting up of an appropriate framework fo r conducting scientific risk assessment and 
thereby securing the phytosanitary status of our imports; 
(g) Technical assistance for the accreditation of  our laboratories to EC standards; 
(h) Creation of the necessary framework for quality assurance and 
certification/indexation of our agricultural produce (HACCP, food safety and hygiene) as well as auditing systems for quality control procedures.  Technical 
assistance for the broad implementation of the Good Manufacturing Practices 
(GMPs), HACCP, or similar regulatory programmes as they facilitate trade and contribute to the equivalence and harmonization of SPS/food safety systems; 
(i) Participation in international sta ndard-setting bodies because having national 
representatives at international meetings makes the work of the organizations more 
relevant to the domestic setting and draws in stakeholders in the preparation of 
national positions on issues; 
(j) Establishment of regional permanent SPS/ Food Safety Directorate similar to the one 
currently under implementation in the Eu ropean Communities, the European Food 
Safety Authority (EFSA). 
The analyses and recommendations above indicate th e need for a more broa d-based approach for 
dealing with issues of SPS and food safety in Ma uritius both to improve trade in agriculture and 
protect the health of consumers.  
Progress in the Implementation of the Tran sparency Provisions of the SPS Agreement 
 
8. In respect of the tran sparency provisions of the SPS Ag reement, Mauritius has achieved a 
reasonable level of compliance with its obligatio ns.  Notification and enquiry points are well 
established and functioning effectively.  The SPS Enquiry Point notifies domestic SPS measures taken 
to the WTO, through the National Notification Author ity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional 
Cooperation and International Trade.  The SPS Enquir y Point is also actively involved in all decision-
making processes relating to SPS matters including emergency measures.  The SPS Enquiry Point 
also receives regular requests and responds to requests for information regarding domestic SPS G/SPS/GEN/526 
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 measures.  The Enquiry Point is also acting as a facilitator and provides up-to-date, relevant 
information on SPS requirements for specific products. 
9. We have also established a local SPS Committe e chaired by the national SPS Enquiry Point 
and comprising representative from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of 
Fisheries, Standard Bureau, Veterinary Se rvices, Chamber of Agriculture, Chamber of 
Commerce/industry and our Research and Extension Unit.  The committee meets at least once 
monthly as a forum for the exchange of information among the different members on all aspects related to SPS and to discuss matters with potential trade impact. 
II. THE INDIAN OCEAN PERSPECTIVE FOR MAURITIUS 
A. P
ARTICIPATION IN A REGIONAL CROP PROTECTION PROGRAMME  
10. At the level of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has been sharing special relationships with all the 
neighbouring islands through the Commission de L’O céan Indien through trade protocols for the 
export/import of horticultural produce or through phytosanitary protocols to protect the country from 
the incursion of exotic pests and diseases.  
11. An important recent initiative is the Regional Crop Protection Program (RCPP) covering 
Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, Reunion and the Seychelles (Countries of the Indian Ocean 
Commission), and funded by the European Commission.  These countries have a number of phytosanitary problems in common and accordingly regional solutions are being sought.  These 
initiatives will further assist Mauritius 
 In the critical areas of regional market integration; 
 To increase co-operation in the management of shared natural resources;  and 
 To expand commercial markets for agricultural technologies and 
commodities. 
 
The project principally aims at:  
(a) Creation of an Indian Ocean Crop Protection network: 
The regional harmonization of phytosanitary legislations which is imperative to 
develop a common framework of practices  and standards for governing trade in 
agricultural products.  In developing such a framework, a regional perspective would 
be incorporated to ensure that local requirements are not unduly protectionist, and fit with the harmonization/mutual recognitio n provisions of the SPS Agreement; 
 
(b) Quality control with emphasis on a pesticide quality control campaign and quality 
control of planting material moving in the region; 
(c) Recognition of reference laboratories for the region for disease diagnosis and quality 
control of chemicals used for crop protection; 
(d) Usage of alternative controls of plant pests and disease; 
(e) Training activities for extension workers, quarantine inspectors, scientists, field 
workers, etc.; 
(f) Promotion of expertise available from the region, emergence of regional dynamics as 
well as transfer of knowledge. Regional pl ant protection organizations would have  G/SPS/GEN/526 
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 the possibility to pool their resources and bring together the experts from the different 
regions to discuss and to exchange informa tion about potential quarantine pests.  This 
would considerably improve our ability to identify potential problems and to act in 
advance. 
B. EXPLORING TRADE POTENTIAL WITHIN THE REGION  
12. Specific problems arise from the interplay of such factors as our smallness, remoteness, 
geographical dispersion;  vulnerability to natural disasters;  high susceptibility to incursion and easy 
establishment of exotic agricultural pests and diseas es coupled with the inherent difficulties in their 
control;  inability to shift agricultural production system from one location to another in cases of 
disease epidemics and pest outbreaks due to our sm allness;  the fragility of our ecosystems;  
constraints on transport and freight for agricultural produce;  isolation from markets;  vulnerability to 
exogenous economic and financial s hocks;  a highly limited internal market;  lack of natural 
resources;  difficulty in achieving economies of scale, amongst others.  Conscious of the situation, Mauritius as a net food importing country has been  taking advantage of the region as a production 
base. We are also aiming at producing selected commodities in other countries of the region to benefit 
from economies of scale and to process them in Maur itius prior to exportation.  This is being done 
with the objective of meeting our policy to em erge as a regional agro-processing hub by taking 
advantage of our technological, infrastructural, Freeport and communicati ons facilities available 
locally. 
13. At the level of the different regional blocks to  which Mauritius is a party, like the Southern 
African Development Community (SADC), the Afri can Union and Common Market for Eastern and 
Southern Africa (COMESA), we are seizing ever y opportunity through the different venues being 
organized for joint consideration of, inter alia , phytosanitary and sanitary issues and for finding 
solutions to problems on a regional basis where appropriate, through, for example: 
(a) Development of coherent programmes for th e control and eradication of pests and 
diseases; 
(b) Regional harmonization and upgrading of phytosanitary systems; 
(c) Plant health policy alignment and upgrading; 
(d) Development of a regional policy position and legislation on GMO;  and 
(e) Harmonization of pesticide regulation with in African countries and analysis of 
pesticide residues. 
14. A team from the SADC Food, Agriculture and Natural resources Unit visited Mauritius for a 
stock-taking exercise of our sanitary and phytosanitary  legislation, regulations and structures with the 
ultimate aim of drafting a detailed sanitary and phyto sanitary annex to the SADC Trade Protocol.  The 
Annex would facilitate trade of agricultural comm odities within the region. The initiative of the 
SADC to harmonize phytosanitary legislation and norms of SADC member countries is another 
important measure taken by the region to f acilitate trade between SADC Member States. 
III. SHARING OUR EXPERIENCE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SPS 
AGREEMENT WITH COUNTR IES OF THE REGION 
15. We have had the opportunity to share our expe rience with certain African countries like the 
Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Benin, Senegal, other No rth and West African countries, with  members of 
the SADC, and the Caribbean. G/SPS/GEN/526 
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 16. We participated also in a Video conferen cing organized by the World Bank on the Inter 
Agency Coordinating mechanism for SPS for South East Asian Countries. 
IV. CONCLUSION 
17. From the Indian Ocean persp ective, Mauritius and other developing countries of the region 
need a strong strategy for the development of a truly multifunctional agricultural sector, which would 
from the basis for sustainable deve lopment.  This strategy should  integrate the above positive aspects 
of our agricultural sector with natural wealth, and socio-cultural traditions, stimulating cooperation of 
the agri-sector with tourism, small businesses on a local as well as a regional level.  Regional solutions are being sought to common problems of countries within the region in the same line as the Regional Crop protection programme.  This should reduce costs;  stimulate regional co-operation and 
bilateral agreements and help to sm oothen trade of agricultural produce. 
18. Finally we would like to place on record the role played by Ms G. Stanton and the staff of the 
SPS Secretariat of the WTO in their endeavour to f acilitate the transmission of notifications to all 
Members and their commitment to assist Member s to meet their commitments under the SPS 
Agreement. We highly appreciate all the seminars organized at the level of Africa in order to 
familiarize the developing countries of the continent with the benefits of the SPS Agreement and how 
to meet the obligations under this Agreement. 
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