The Plant Protection Act 2006

The characteristics of the Regulation

Type of regulation:

Import Permit - required

Description of the regulation:

Import of  (Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers)

Official text describing the regulation:

PMA_PCCI_vegetables.pdf
plant_imppermit.pdf

Partner countries to which it applies:

All countries

Authority who issued the regulation:

National Plant Protection Office (NPPO)
Agricultural Services, Réduit.
(230) 465 4902
http://agriculture.govmu.org/

Contact: 

Principal Scientific Officer, National Plant Protection Office
moa-pathology@govmu.org

How is the regulation enforced?

Authority enforcing the control:

Ministry of Health and Wellness
Food Import Unit
Atchia Building, 1st Floor, Mgr. Gonin St., Port-Louis
(230) 210-1345
https//health.govmu.org

The process in order to get compliance

Process for complying:

 Fill out prescribed form attached and submit it to NPPO (Reduit) - Processing of application based on assessment of risk by NPPO.

    Plant Import Permit is required.
    (PIP) - To minimise risks of introduction of pests and diseases through imported commodities which are potential pathways for their introduction and spread. 

    Phytosanitary Certificate(PC) and Certificate of Inspection  are also required. (See filename: PMA_PCCI_vegetables.pdf attached for more details).

    Risk Categorization is as follows:-
    -Low Risk/Medium Risk: Formulation of new Phyto-sanitary measures / Import Protocol
    - High Risk: This requires Pest Risk Analysis / Consultation with relevant experts in the Bio-security Technical Advisory Committee.

    If Application is approved: Issue of Plant Import Permit.
    Not Approved: Reject Application & Applicant Informed.

Average time to get compliance:

1 - 4 weeks

Cost estimate to get compliance:

   Fees Payable: Rs 50 (commercial plant import permit); Rs 10 (non commercial plant import permit)
Processing fee: Rs 500 per consignment.
Phyto-sanitary clearance fee: Rs. 100 per consignment.

Once I have it, what do I have to do:

Phytosanitary Clearance for Imported Plants and Plant Products at Port of Entry
Applicant calls at NPPO office to request for an appointment with NPPO Officer - NPPO Officer verifies document for compliance with Import requirements, inspects consignment and issues a Certificate of Inspection.

Clearance is obtained if consignment complies fully with phytosanitary import requirements and Certificate of Inspection is issued for customs clearance by Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA)
For non/ partial compliance with our Phytosanitary Import requirements, consignment shall be detained and be subjected to quarantine treatments:

 a) Heat Treatment ( Rs 350 /- m3)
 b) Pesticide Treatment (Rs 10 non-commercial ; Rs 75 commercial)
 c) Post Entry Quarantine in Green House or growers premises (3 months to 18 months depending on crop)
 d) Fumigation treatment with Sulphuryl fluoride (Rs. 700/ m3 )
Or (e) Reshipment/ destruction at Importer’s cost.

Validity of the compliance:

4 months

Required Documents to process:

Documents Required to be produced for Clearance; - Plant Import Permit; - Phyto-sanitary Certificate; - Air Way Bill; - Packing List.

Authority delivering compliance:

National Plant Protection Office (NPPO)
Agricultural Services, Réduit.
(230) 465 4902
http://agriculture.govmu.org/