. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/MUS/1
1 September 1999
(99-3621)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:  Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources,
Department of Veterinary Services
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where
applicable).  Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or
practicable:  Food and Food commodities from Europe (European Communities) including
Belgium will be allowed in Mauritius subject to the production of documentary evidence
emanating from relevant Government Health Authorities in that country certifying that such
products are not contaminated with Dioxin.
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:  One
5. Description of content:  A communiqué for importation of Food and Food Commodities
from Europe (European Communities) including Belgium
Due to the recent problem of Dioxin contamination of food and food commodities from
Belgium, the Ministry of Health, Mauritius on 5 June imposed a ban on all importation of
food and food commodities (this includes poultry and meat products and derivatives
thereof) from Belgium to Mauritius with immediate effect.  On 18 June another ban for all
products of meat origin thereof from Europe (European Communities) was imposed by the
same authority.  On 25 June importation of all products of meat and poultry origin from
Europe (European Communities) excluding Belgium was allowed in Mauritius subject toproduction of a Veterinary Certificate from the Official Veterinary Services of exporting
country certifying that such products are not contaminated with Dioxin.  An import permit
was also required for importation of canned products containing poultry/meat products from
Europe (European Communities) (excluding Belgium) as well as from other countries.  On
receipt of relevant information importation of food and food commodities from Europe(European Communities) (including Belgium) was allowed in Mauritius as from 30 July, as
per conditions mentioned in part 3 above.
6. Objective and rationale: [  X ] food safety,  [     ] animal health,  [     ] plant protection,
[    ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease,
[    ] protect territory from other damage from pests           
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [  X ].
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:           G/SPS/N/MUS/1
Page 2
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  English and French
9. Proposed date of adoption:  30 July 1999
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  30 July 1999
11. Final date for comments:           
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [     ] National notification
authority, [  X ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:           
12. Texts available from: [     ] National notification authority, [  X ] National enquiry point
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:           
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources
Plant Pathology & Quarantine Division
Réduit, Mauritius
Tel: 464-4872Fax: 465-9591
E-mail: plpath@intnet.mu