Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
of Multi Annual Adaptation Strategy (MAAS) of Mauritius

The European Commission requires a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to be carried out for the Mauritius "Multi-Annual Adaptation Strategy- Action Plan 2006-2015: Safeguarding the future through consensus" (MAAS) and for the EC support to this "MAAS".

The "MAAS" forms an integral part of the comprehensive ten-year economic reform programme of the Government of Mauritius. It aims at strengthening the sustainability of the sugar sector in light of the internal EU Sugar Market Regime Reform.

Given the impact on the environment from the sugar sector reform process, it is essential from the onset, for stakeholders and decision-makers to have an environmental baseline as well as relevant recommendations which will be used to mitigate the possible adverse impact of the implementation of the MAAS. Although the main contours of the environmental baseline are well integrated in the MAAS, environmental impact assessment studies will need to be carried out more systematically to ensure that the country's environment is not further adversely affected.

The overall objective of SEA of MAAS is to describe, identify and assess the likely significant environmental challenges, considerations and effects of implementing the MAAS with regard to the environmental impact of the sugar restructuring outlined in the MAAS. The specific objective of this SEA is to confirm and complete the findings and recommendations of the MAAS pertaining to environmental issues. In addition, the SEA will provide decision-makers in the EC and other donors and in the partner country with relevant information to be integrated in the decision-making and implementation processes.

The SEA is financed by the European Commission and is implemented by Agreco Consortium.

The expert team assembled by Agreco to undertake this SEA includes:

• Jiri Dusik, ICEM and Integra CS Team Leader;
• Christophe Poser, CIRAD;
• Bernard Siegmund, CERF;
• Guy Mc Intyre;

The project is managed at Agreco Consortium by Lara Beltrame.

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