Month: July 2021

Food systems in the face of Covid-19

Posted by APEC on in Press

Given the indispensable role of food and the basic need for food supply stability, the Minister pointed out that there is a need to reconsider our food systems, the way we produce, process and consume locally, and take into account sustainability, distribution channels and the avoidance of food waste.

The Food Systems Summit will be convened by the United Nations next October, as part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The Summit aims to launch bold new actions to deliver progress on all seventeen SDGs, each of which relies to some degree on healthier, more sustainable and equitable food systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic has alerted all countries including Mauritius, to take stock of respective vulnerabilities regarding food systems. The pandemic has not only been a health calamity but has also caused economic hardships, severe disruption in services as well as restrictions on movement putting the food, health and economic system under severe stress.

Govt. to introduce price control

Posted by APEC on in Press

Taking note of the rising prices of several essential commodities, the government has agreed to – (a) introduce a measure of price control by fixing a maximum price for edible oil, pulses, canned tomatoes, milk powder, margarine, cheese and canned fish (sardines and pilchards); (b) introduce a subsidy on these products with a view to compensating the loss in revenue to importers, manufacturers and wholesalers or distributors who sell the goods to retailers; (c) re-establish the former Price Observatory in order to provide the public a greater visibility on prices of essential products for more informed buying; and (d) allow the State Trading Corporation to import certain essential products in order to reduce importation costs, stabilise retail price and make the product more accessible and affordable to the general public.

Amnesty Scheme for Planters, Breeders and Fishers

Posted by APEC on in Newsletter

An Amnesty Scheme for Planters, Breeders and Fishers facing difficulties in repaying their long overdue loans at the Development Bank of Mauritius Ltd (DBM), has been approved by the government. It would apply to planters, breeders and fishers who have availed of loan facilities of up to Rs 200,000 and which are more than ten years old. The details of these loans are as follows – (a) for loans up to Rs 100,000, DBM would waive full amount of capital, interests and penalties; (b) for loans above Rs 100,000 and up to Rs 200,000, DBM would waive all interests and penalties; (c) for beneficiaries who have availed of loans in the range of Rs100,001 up to Rs200,000 and who have passed away, DBM would write off all their liabilities on a case to case basis; and (d) for loans granted to individual fishers in Rodrigues, through the Nassola and United Cooperative Credit Unions, DBM would write off the total liabilities. The Scheme would be effective as from 02 July 2021.

Salir les lieux publics: des amendes et dénonciations par téléphone

Posted by APEC on in Environment

 De nouvelles amendes fixes sont en vigueur à Maurice pour l’abandon et le dépôt illégal de déchets dans les lieux publics. Elles seront de l’ordre de Rs 3,000 contre ceux qui salissent la voie publique et de Rs 5,000 pour ceux qui polluent les cours d’eau et les plages. Ceux qui déversent illégalement des déchets ménagers, commerciaux ou industriels encourent une amende fixe de Rs 25,000.

Par ailleurs, la Police de l’Environnement appelle la population à dénoncer des cas de pollution sur le 5 250 51 51, avec photos à l’appui. Plus de 70 cas ont déjà été rapportes et 5 contraventions émises.