Santalum Album trees, commonly known as sandal wood, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the…
(No. B/55) Mr J. F. François (Second Member for Rodrigues) asked the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries whether, in regard to Santalum Album trees, commonly known as sandal wood, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the National Plant Protection Office and/or Conservator of Forestry Services, information as to – (a) if any phytosanitary certificate for the exportation thereof from Rodrigues have been delivered from 2022 to date and, if so, indicate the – (i) conditions attached thereto; (ii) persons and companies holding same, and (b) the volume of sandalwood to be or recently shipped from Rodrigues.
Thank you very much, hon. Second Member for Rodrigues. Madam Speaker, I am informed by the National Plant Protection Office of my Ministry that no phytosanitary certificate has been issued from 2022 to date for the exportation of sandalwood from Rodrigues. As for the Forestry Service of my Ministry, I am informed that to date, no sandalwood has been imported from Rodrigues. However, Madam Speaker, the Forestry Service has indicated that on 28 April 2024, it received an application from Timber Touch Ltd, a private company, for registration as a dealer in sandalwood. An acknowledgement certificate was issued on 12 September 2024. On 25 October 2024, the Forestry Service received a letter from the Commission for Agriculture of Rodrigues informing that it had received an application dated 19 August 2024 from Timber Touch Ltd for the exploitation of sandalwood in Rodrigues as follows – • 10 tons from private land belonging to Mr Jean Marie Allas at La Ferme, and
35 • 30 tons from the property of Mr Ithier Ivan at La Ferme. On 26 November 2024, the Forestry Service informed the Commission that it has no objection to the application provided – (i) the sandalwood has been legally purchased from private lands and subject to the recommendation of the Commission of Agriculture; (ii) the company shall have to submit shipping documents to the Forestry Service once the transportation is effected; (iii) the clearance is only for transfer to Mauritius and is valid for single-use until 30 January 2025. The Commission of Agriculture has informed that as of the date, no approval to that effect has been issued. Sandalwood has, therefore, not been exported to Mauritius. Madam Speaker, the Commission for Agriculture has informed that the Police in Rodrigues are conducting an inquiry to investigate possible infringement in the matter regarding the source of the timber. I have, therefore, requested the Conservator of Forests to investigate into the matter to identify weaknesses, loopholes in the process or procedure with a view to further strengthening control and ensure the proper management of sandalwood in Rodrigues.
Thank you. You have a supplementary? Yes!
Thank you. I thank the hon. Minister for his answer. In light of the answer given, will the hon. Minister be agreeable to amend the G.N. 238 of 2024 with regard to Rodrigues following his answers?
I will certainly look into it and ask the State Law Office, if need be, to do the needful.
Thank you, hon. Minister. The hon. Second Member for Rivière des Anguilles and Souillac!
36 RIVIÈRE DES ANGUILLES DAM – CONSTRUCTION DETAILS