[MCFI-Fertilizer-Importation][Gasoline/Fuel - Importation - Quality][Mer Rouge - Fertilizer Production Unit - Relocation][FUEL-Sulphur Reduction]

Debate No. 19 of 06.12.05
MCFI - Fertilizer - 30-06-00 - Importation

(No. I B/578) Mrs S. Hanoomanjee (Second Member for Savanne and Black River) asked the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit whether he will state if the Mauritius Chemical Fertilizer Industry (MCFI) applied for an Environment Impact Assessment licence before importing the fertilizer 30-06-00 and, if so, will he give the date -

the application was received, and
the licence was issued.

The Ag. Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, the need for an EIA Licence for the importation of fertilizer 30-06-00 by the MCFI does not arise as it does not entail any manufacture. Consequently, the MCFI did not apply for the licence to the Ministry of Environment before importing the fertilizer. According to Part B of the first schedule of the Environment Protection Act the “manufacture of chemical fertilizer” as well as the “manufacture, handling and storage of dangerous chemicals and pesticides” warrant an EIA licence.

Furthermore, I am advised that fertilizer 30-06-00 is an ammonium nitrate based granule containing a blending of ammonium nitrate and phosphate. I am assured that this blend is not a dangerous substance.

Mrs Hanoomanjee: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Ag. Prime Minister aware that MCFI had applied for a permit from the Dangerous Chemical Board, and it has been given same? So, can we consider the fertilizer as a dangerous chemical?

The Ag. Prime Minister: We have already gone through this last time. I am assured by the Board itself, that the product is not dangerous. I have taken the trouble of inquiring personally from the scientific officers concerned, and once again, they confirmed that it is not dangerous. But having said that, there is a Committee under the Chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of External Communications on the whole issue of safety in relation to these substances, and as far as I understand the hon. Member has been invited to submit her views. So, we look forward to reviewing the whole matter again.

Mrs Hanoomanjee: In fact, I have been invited, I cannot say no. But why is it then that MCFI has had to apply for a permit from the Dangerous Chemical Board?

The Ag. Prime Minister: I don’t know why they applied, but there is no need. They have gone to Court and the Court also has …

Mrs Hanoomanjee: Is the Ag. Prime Minister aware that the first schedule of the Dangerous Chemical Act includes ammonium nitrate? There is ammonium nitrate in the listing.

Mr Speaker: This is a matter of law which is to the public knowledge. The hon. Member cannot put a question on a matter of law which is to the public knowledge.

Mr Dowarkasing: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I know from the Ag. Prime Minister whether the internal inquiry that was being conducted by the Permanent Secretary has been completed?

The Ag. Prime Minister: It’s a review of the whole situation regarding hazardous drugs.

Mr Guimbeau: M. le président, dans une interview le Managing Director du MCFI a dit qu'il n'a pas dormi pendant 30 ans, est-ce-que cela ne veut pas dire que ce produit est dangereux?

The Ag. Prime Minister: It is a fact, the storage of such product has been going on for a long time. But, as far as I understand, it is only recently that the question has arisen.

Keywords: fertilizer, EIA license, chemical

Deb. No. 02 of 15.02.05
Gasoline/Fuel - Importation - Quality

(No. B/90) Dr. A. Boolell (Second Member for Vieux Grand Port & Rose Belle) asked the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit whether he is aware that the gasoline/fuel presently imported is of substandard quality and, if yes, will he state if his Ministry proposes to establish a benchmark for the import of the product.

The Minister of Commerce & Consumer Protection (Mr M. Ramdass): Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I am going to reply to this question.

Petroleum products of substandard quality have never been imported by the STC. These products are imported according to specifications laid down in the tender documents of the STC. Appropriate tests are done by internationally renowned testing agencies at loading port in conformity with the specifications. Furthermore, at discharge port, basic tests are conducted by the MSB.

In fact, the quality of petroleum products being imported has improved during the last four years. On the recommendation of the Ministry of Environment, the sulphur content of gas oil was decreased in 2001 from 0.50 to 0.25 and as from 2002, unleaded motor gasoline is being imported instead of gasoline with lead.

With a view to further improving the quality of petroleum products, a Technical Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr. K. Elahee, holder of a PhD in Energy Management and Lecturer at the University of Mauritius, has been set up at the Ministry of Environment and comprising representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure & Land Transport, Ministry of Commerce & Consumer Protection, Mauritius Ports Authority, STC, local oil companies, motor vehicles dealers association and dealers in imported vehicles association. The committee will explore the possibility to improve fuel quality and to take advantage of the technological breakthrough in diesel engines to improve quality of ambient air and to reduce green houses gases emissions.

Keywords: fuel quality, sulphur content, air pollution, green house gas emission, unleaded gasoline

Debate No. 07 of 06.09.05
Mer Rouge - Fertilizer Production Unit - Relocation

(No. I B/250) Dr. M. A. Husnoo (Second Member for Port Louis Maritime & Port Louis East) asked the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit whether he will state if he is aware of an EIA application submitted by the Island Fertilizers Company Ltd., for the delocalisation of a pesticide plant from Mer Rouge to Desbouchers Street, Roche Bois, a densely populated area and, if so, whether he proposes to refer the application to a Technical Advisory Committee.

Reply: My Ministry has not received any application for the delocalisation of a pesticide plant. However, an application for an EIA licence for the relocation of an existing fertiliser production unit from Freeport Zone 6 Mer Rouge to Roche Bois has been received on 01 August 2005. The project concerns the relocation of the existing facilities to an existing warehouse at Desbouchers street, at Roche Bois.

The application is being processed. In this respect, views of all stakeholders and public comments have been sought. Should the need arise a Technical Advisory Committee will be established to look into the matter.

Keywords: EIA application, fertilizer, pesticides

Debate No. 09 of 13.09.2005
FUEL - Sulphur - Reduction
 

(No. I B/271) Mr S. Naidu (Third Member for Beau Bassin and Petite Rivière) asked the Minister of Environment & National Development Unit whether, having regard to the quality of fuel, he will state –

whether there has been a reduction in the percentage of sulphur in diesel fuel and, if so,

when was the last reduction effected, and

whether any further reduction is envisaged, and

(b) if a Technical Advisory Committee has been set up to look into the matter and, if so, state the outcome thereof.

Mr Bachoo: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that there has been a reduction in the percentage of sulphur content in diesel fuel from 0.50% by weight to 0.25% by weight since September 2001.

Any further reduction will be considered in the light of the findings and recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee on fuel quality.

Keywords: fuel quality, sulphur content, diesel, air pollution