Thank you very much, hon. Member. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Food and Agriculture Research and Extension Institute that currently 24,385 pigs are being reared in Mauritius. As for Rodrigues, the Commission For Agriculture of Rodrigues has informed that for the period January to December 2025, about 14,200 pigs were reared in Rodrigues. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (a) of the question, statistics available at Statistics Mauritius show that the import of pork products for the year 2025 for Mauritius was around 1,300 tons and these products were imported from Spain, Brazil, France, China, Denmark, Australia, Italy and Turkey. As for local pork production for the year 2025, 695 tons of meat were delivered to the market after slaughter at the Mauritius Meat Authority. For statistics on pork products for Rodrigues, the Commissioner For Agriculture of Rodrigues has informed that the Ministry, based on assumptions made and on slaughter statistics for the past few years, it is estimated that the demand for pork in Rodrigues for both consumption and processing is approximately 485 tons per year. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (b) of the question, the facilities and support available to breeders by this Government comprise of Feed Subsidy, Breeder Support Scheme and Grant Scheme. Under the Feed Scheme, pig breeders registered by Small Farmers Welfare Fund are provided vouchers of Rs20 per kg of feed purchased up to a maximum of 800 kg per breeder. For Financial Year 2025-2026, 122 pig breeders, out of 128 registered pig breeders of Mauritius, have benefited from this scheme. As for the Breeder’s Support Scheme introduced in 2025, breeders can avail of subsidies and grants for amongst others reinforcing bio-security at farm level, acquisition of green technologies, drilling of borehole facilities, acquisition of modern and innovative technologies and product packaging and marketing. 15 applications received for these schemes are under process by the Small Farmers and Welfare Fund awaiting further information from applicants. As regard the Grant Scheme, breeders are provided subsidies for the purchase of agricultural equipment; upgrading, construction of pigsty, acquisition of CCTV and rainwater harvest. To date, one breeder has benefitted from purchase of equipment for a sum of Rs100,000, two breeders have received a total of Rs221,500 for upgrading of farm and another two breeders’ application for a total of Rs129,410 have been approved. For the subsidy for acquisition of CCTV camera, one application was received for an amount of Rs15,540 and same has been approved. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to facilities provided to pig farmers, I am informed that during the Financial Year 2024-2025, a Pig Feed Scheme was implemented to support pig farming. However, it has not been implemented in the Financial Year 2025-2026 due to lack of funds and an excess of pigs on the market but this will be redressed. In addition to this, at least three Meat Subsidy Campaigns are implemented yearly to provide farmers with a reliable market.

Yes, hon. Edouard!

Thank you. I thank the hon. Minister for his reply. May I ask the hon. Minister if there is specific support for the market in Mauritius of excess pigs from Rodrigues?

We can dare to venture, but you can rest assured that there is parity of esteem in respect to the facilities being extended to Rodrigues and I have said, if there is a shortcoming, it will be addressed; forcefully and meaningfully.

Yes!

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. May I ask the hon. Minister, the last consignment of live pigs exported to Mauritius from Rodrigues dated back in 2015, may I know whether there is discussion by your Ministry with local authorities in Rodrigues to resume live importation of pigs with all required sanitary and/or veterinary protocols?

Yes, as you said, subject to that there is full compliance to sanitary and phytosanitary laws, certainly this could be entertained, but I cannot give you a decisive reply.

Just one more question, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. Rightly so, you mentioned that there is a surplus of around 14,000…

Put your question! Put your question!

… pigs in Rodrigues. Coson pe pous kok dan rodrigues M. le président ek la vieillesse. Will the hon. Minister confirm whether there is an established protocol or trade agreement for possible export of pork or pork products to neighbouring countries like Seychelles?

But this matter has to be raised at the level of the Indian Ocean Commission and we have to make sure that you know, there is compliance to sanitary and phytosanitary norms. If the market is there and available, not only Seychelles, but as member of SADC, we can certainly widen circle of opportunities and look for markets in many of these countries.

Hon. First Member for Savanne & Black River! BLACK RIVER (LA BALISE) BOAT PASSAGE – DESILTING WORKS PROGRESS