Madam Speaker, I will seek your indulgence because the reply is quite lengthy and it will be three in one.

You do not want to circulate?

Sorry?

You do not want to do partly and then circulate?

No, in the light of concern expressed, in the light of what people want to hear. Let me reply to the question.

Alright.

Madam Speaker, with your permission, I will reply to Parliamentary Question B/838, B/845 and B/857 concurrently as they relate to the same subject.

The last one was B/857!

Thank you. As a responsible Government and a dog loving country, it is our duty to ensure that animal welfare laws are strengthened to advocate, inter alia, for responsible dog ownership and the well-being of the population in view of the risk associated with stray dogs. The issue of stray dogs is accurate and chronic and remains one of the top priorities of our Ministry. I am informed by the Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare that the total owned dog population in Mauritius is estimated at around 246,000 including both dogs that are kept restricted to the owner’s properties and those roaming freely. According to MSAW, nearly 20% of these owned dogs roam outside contributing to a street population estimated at approximately 57,000. But, in my assessment, the number is far higher. A key challenge for street dog welfare is the lack of responsible and informed pet ownership. On 01 October 2025, Madam Speaker, Section 31(1) and (3) of the Animal Welfare Act have been proclaimed and provide for micro-chipping and registration of dogs only and make it compulsory for the owners to register their dogs. This regulatory framework will enable MSAW to promote sustainable control of dog population enhance responsible pet ownership, reduced animal cruelty and minimise health hazard associated with stray dogs.

39 The registration process is conducted by MSAW where the owner of the dog is required to fill in an application form for registration. The dogs are being microchip on site and the dog owners will have to produce relevant documents namely the National ID card and proof of address at time of registration. Subsequently, the MSAW will issue a registration certificate to the owner. The MSAW will also enter into an MoU with private veterinary practices for micro-chipping and registration. Madam Speaker, in line with the principle of good governance, Government in ensuring a system which is transparent, safe and which will be closely monitored for the micro-chipping and registration of dogs. In that context, MSAW will launch an expression of interest to enlist services of private vet consultation. The collaboration of NGOs will also be enlisted for micro-chipping and registration during the sterilization campaign and, in the same spirit, MSAW will ensure that the NGOs – (a) are registered as proper entity dealing with welfare of animal; (b) are registered with the Data Protection Office since they will be dealing personal information of dog owners; (c) undertake to provide all information with regard to the pet owner and the dog to the, MSAW; (d) enlist the services of a veterinarian, registered with the Vet Council of Mauritius, who is mandated under the Dangerous Drugs Act to administer regulated drugs such as Xylazine and Ketamine which is the second and third schedules, respectively, of course, these are being used in sterilization. Madam Speaker, with a view to monitoring the registration of dogs, MSAW will keep a database in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act. The onus to inform MSAW of any death or transferred ownership of a dog lies with the owner which can be done by telephone or email. To widen coverage, micro-chipping and registration are being extended to Municipal Councils, Community Centres and Village Hall up to June 2026. Moreover, the Commissioner of Police has agreed for registration and micro-chipping to be undertaken within the compound of police stations island-wide. A calendar for the exercise has been tentatively worked out from 13 October to 23 December 2025. I will table the list of all dedicated centres and stations.

40 At this stage, no amendment is being envisaged to the Animal Welfare Act as the decentralisation process island-wide is happening de facto. MSAW has currently two stations dedicated for the microchipping and registration of dogs located in Rose Hill and Plaine Magnien respectively. As at 06 October 2025, a total of 853 dogs has been registered and microchipped. Since October 2025, the MSAW has set the fees for the registration of dogs at the rate of Rs350, that is, a reduction from the actual fees of Rs500 which include registration and veterinary fees as well as microchipping. Madam Speaker, as a caring Government and our concern for animal lovers, the MSAW is promoting mass sterilisation campaigns whereby dogs are being microchipped, registered and sterilised free of charge given a number of hardship cases that have been observed and a flexible approach is being adopted. The MSAW has scheduled meetings with registered NGOs to encourage grassroot participation through interactive sessions and dialogue for transparency and accountability. Transportation is made available on a case-to- case basis. With regard to budget allocation, I am informed that an amount of Rs20 million has been provided for the MSAW in the Financial Year 2025-2026 for the implementation of the sterilisation campaign, including microchipping and registration. Hon. Members will appreciate that the extension of the exercise to other domestic animals cannot be contemplated. Concerning the implementation and monitoring for Rodrigues, I am informed by the MSAW that an MoU was signed with Rodrigues Regional Assembly, represented by the Commission for Agriculture in 2022 for the implementation of the National Sustainable Project for Dog Population Control in Rodrigues. During the last mission of MSAW to Rodrigues in November 2023 regarding the mass sterilisation campaign over the island, officers of the Veterinary Services of Rodrigues were trained on dog registration procedures. The list of designated centres to undertake microchipping and registration in Rodrigues will be determined in coordination with the Commission for Agriculture and the Division of Veterinary Services. In this context, a mission will be undertaken to Rodrigues to ensure smooth implementation of dog registration across the island. For effective monitoring, Madam Speaker, MSAW will collaborate with Commission for Agriculture to collect relevant information and visits will be conducted by enforcement officers of MSAW to ensure proper implementation and compliance with the legal

41 framework. The list of officers from MSAW Enforcement Department assigned to ensure compliance is – • Mr Simanassamiane; • Mr Pandoo, • Mrs Kalloo-Lebon, and • the team is led by Mr Govindasami, Director of MSAW. Madam Speaker, our interest is to safeguard the welfare of all animals. In that context, my Ministry and MSAW are working in close collaboration with all like-minded stakeholders, registered NGOs, vets and pet owners.

Thank you, Minister. Hon. Ms Collet, do you have a question? Hon. Dr. Prayag? Yes? That was three in one.

Thank you for your reply.

We have three in one. So, it is a good thing you are asking.

Exactly. Can the House be made aware about when the MoU will be signed with the private veterinary doctors and secondly, is the Ministry considering to permit new private vehicles for transportation of animals, dogs in the near future because of these changes? Thank you.

I cannot give you the exact date as to when the MoU will be signed but we are going to move the process as fast as possible. As to enlistment of transport services, we will look into it favourably.

Hon. Edouard, do you have a question? Thank you very much. Yes, hon. François?

Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. If you allow me…

Yes.

Madam Speaker, we are also talking about microchipping which is compulsory for dog registration. May I seize this opportunity to request the hon. Minister to look into the issue of non-availability of microchipping for live sheep and goat exportation from Rodrigues to Mauritius?

Yes, this issue has been raised by the vets because usually goats and cattle imported from Rodrigues are microchipped but the ears are going to be tagged.

42

Okay, thank you.

Okay, one more hon. Dr. Prayag. It is his question.

Is there any proper legislation? Is the Ministry considering to put any legislation to prevent dog breeders/dog owners to tamper with microchips, to remove microchips and to tamper with them?

That’s a very good question. Only those who are properly trained will be allowed to microchip the dogs and you need to have people who are trained by specialised vets. And it is a course which is very effective but done by only those who have the acumen to do so.

Okay, hon. Leader of the Opposition!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The hon. Minister is a seasoned politician. This is a case of apre lamor la tizann. Can I ask…

L’amour ou la mort ?

La mort ! Pas l’amour !

(Interruptions)

Can I ask the hon. Minister whether, he would confirm to the House that the procurement for those microchips was only 15,000 and there are only 1000 microchips available at the MSAW?

This is an exercise for which tender was called for. The moment these microchips are going to be used, there will be fresh tender called for but you know, we proceed in a gradual manner, step by step and we are reaching out for a great outreach, much to your displeasure.

Yes, hon. A. Duval?

Thank you. Madam Speaker, may I ask the hon. Minister given the total chaos which has surrounded the implementation of this measure, may we firstly know when will the offences be implemented by the Police, by his Ministry? And secondly, when does he expect total registration to be completed? And I hope that the imposition of fines and other offences will await la date butoir which should be in a much longer term.

Well, the chaos is within the rank and file of the Opposition, Madam Speaker. As far as we are concerned, we are addressing this problem in a very forceful

43 manner, with a humane and ecological approach and we are getting the results. Why? Because even those who were reluctant to come, are coming forward and you can rest assured, we will deliver.

(Interruptions)

Do not argue! Do not argue!

Madam Speaker…

Another question?

(Interruptions)

One moment! Yes?

The question was very simple. When will the offences be implemented?

Offences cannot be implemented!

When will the Police and his Ministry start application of the offences and…

That is better.

…when does he think that the programme will be fully completed?

If you can give us…

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is acting like a fool. Only fools like him will rush in where there is no need to tread. There is time given and within the space, you know, we are…

Well, what is that space?

(Interruptions)

There are 120 days during which, we will reach out to as many people as possible and since it is in relation to the offence, it is not going to be applied with a hammer on the table…

Madam Speaker…

He has answered.

Things will be done diligently and in a very humane manner.

Madam Speaker, please…

44

I am giving you but not the same question.

It is not the same question. Madam Speaker, the question is – what happens today? Now that the law est entrée en vigueur, what happens if a dog causes an incident? Will the Police be mandated to charge that person for failing to register the dog or not? And until such time, when will the Police be mandated?

One moment. It is very simple. The law must be applied once it is the law.

No, he has to answer…

Madam Speaker, as I said, the law will be applied but it will not be applied abruptly and against the rights of individuals.

Exactly!

(Interruptions)

Okay, enough on this question.

Madam Speaker, as I have said, the law will be applied, but it will not be applied abruptly and against the rights of individuals.

Exactly! Okay, that is enough on this question. We are only on the first question. So, I think, we can move on now. Hon. Second Member for Savanne and Black River, Mr Jugurnauth! CHEMIN GRENIER MARKET FAIR PROJECT – DELAYS & OPERATION DATE