| Cabinet
Approval: Cracking down illegal trade in CFCs
Mauritius has noted in the
recent past that some importers have tried to bring into
Mauritius equipment containing or
running with CFC. Since 2006, there has been 7 such cases,
amounting to 125 units of refrigerators, 72 mini fridges,
4 freezers and 2 refrigerators. Following consultation
with the
Comptroller of Customs, the Ministry of Environment, has
in some cases, authorized the retrofitting the equipment
with
ozone friendly refrigerants after recovery of the CFCs. Unfortunately,
this practice cannot be continued and henceforth all such
contingents will have to be re-exported to the country
of origin under
existing legal provisions relating to the import of prohibited
goods. A Communiqué will be issued in that respect
to inform importers and the general public that such imports
are
illegal and may lead to prosecution. Moreover, a help desk
has already been set up at my Ministry to provide assistance
and information to importers and the general public on this
matter. Mauritius will shortly be introduced in the official
list, held by the Ozone Secretariat, of countries not accepting
CFC containing products and equipment.
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