monkeys, he will state the number thereof exported, yearly, since 2014 to date, indicating the – (a) average…
(No. B/218) Mr R. Jhummun (Second Member for Rivière des Anguilles & Souillac) asked the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries 53 whether, in regard to monkeys, he will state the number thereof exported, yearly, since 2014 to date, indicating the – (a) average selling price thereof; (b) annual revenue generated yearly, since 2014 to date, and (c) short and long run plan of the Ministry in relation to such trade.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that in the year 2014, a total of 8,809 monkeys were exported as compared to 13,484 monkeys in the year 2024. The average selling price per monkey in the year 2014 was USD 2235.60, that is, Rs101,130 as compared to USD 6424.53, that is, around Rs290,621 in the year 2024. As regard to part (b) of the question, the annual revenue generated in the year 2014 was almost USD20 million, approximately Rs1 billion as compared to USD86,628 million, which is almost Rs4 billion in the year 2024. I am tabling information pertaining to the remaining years. For each monkey exported, the long-tailed macaque, a levy of USD200, equivalent to Rs9,035 is charged and used for conservation initiatives across the country. The amount is relatively low and I shall be reviewing this amount. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, everyone in the House will conquer that the issue of long- tailed macaques has prompted heated debates. There are indeed a number of valid, legitimate, sensitive but conflicting interests which are at stake. For a sizable number of animal lovers and militants in favour of the welfare of animals, the trading of long-tailed macaques should stop. Under international law, exportation of monkeys is lawful and is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, whereby monkeys breeding companies are issued a CITES export permit for all consignments being exported. From a biodiversity perspective, long-tailed macaques are an invasive species which has been negatively impacting the local, native, endemic and endangered biodiversity. From an anthropocentric angle, these long-tailed macaques constitute a danger to our agricultural farms and sometimes to the safety of citizens. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is no short or long-term policy to date. In this context, a committee is being set up with all concerned stakeholders, including, inter alia, Ministries, academia, NGOs, and the private sector to look into all the aspects pertaining to the
54 exportation of monkeys. Any decision on the matter will be taken collectively with concerned stakeholders, subject to the agreement of Government acting in public interest.
Okay, hon. Second Member for Flacq and Bon Accueil! PALMAR, QUATRE COCOS & BELLE MARE/MARE DU PUITS LOCALITY – PIPE REPLACEMENT PROJECTS