'Not enough market for local beef'- Hon Pickering
The concerns were directed to Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) under whose portfolio agriculture falls.
In his response, the minister highlighted a number of issues that pose a challenge in dealing with the situation, including market demand for the meat and spacing for compounding.
Dr Pickering said that while slaughtering stray cattle is an option, "It is restricted because supermarkets can only absorb a limited quantity of meat at a time.... consequently the department is often times left with the cattle which must be pastured and tended to. In that respect, one of the major constraints for the department is a critical lack of holding capacity or pasture space to cater for loose livestock, which are impounded and have to be kept by the department for protracted periods."
Gov’t beef too expensive
This news site had this matter put to several persons, many of whom shared similar views. While they declined to have their and business establishments named, they said the government abattoir can sell meat cheaper.
"Check my freezers tomorrow (today) and you will see the price of bèef cuts are the most expensive, yes we import and some we do take locally but the cost is very high even at the wholesale level. I can import beef at a cheaper price that what they selling locally," argued one supermarket manager.
He continued, "This government agri department can get lots more income for sale of beef, ox tail and so on. If they drop the price people will buy it and so we will have the capacity to take a lot off their hands."
Excuses without merit
Another said government should look at opening a retail meat market. "The beef on this island is of a very very good quality and they have the capacity to meet the demand of the hotel and restaurants for supply. The minister’s excuses in the house yesterday are unfounded and without just merit."
The prominent Virgin Gorda restaurateur, who also is very close to the NDP administration, further stated that people in the Virgin Islands also ate the local beef. "We didn't import the meat with all them chemicals they give them in North America to grow to meet the market demands. Now we have 20 times more people than cows and you saying supermarkets can't absorb? Nonsense."
Nonetheless, Hon Pickering did say that the Agriculture Department is in the process of conducting what he described as practicable programmes to get a handle on the concerns of the Third District Representative.
"Known cattle owners for instance are engaged and implored for their cooperation and voluntary compliance on a consistent basis."
He said that priority areas are patrolled regularly especially areas like Ridge Road, East End and Lambert Bay.
He also said the owners who cause or allow their animals to stray commits an offense and can be fined as much as $1000, in addition to compensation, by a Magistrate for injuries, loss or damage that may arise.
.png)
Follow Us On
23 Responses to “'Not enough market for local beef'- Hon Pickering”
Yes, there is no room for a feedlot that can handle a thousand head of cattle, nor is there a local demand for that much beef. However a small feedlot, run properly, can supply the local market at a fair price. This is a good business venture that is just waiting to happen.
When you have to import food nobody wins. There could also be the opportunity to supply surrounding islands with good quality, local product. I for one buy local products as much as I can.
Shipping tons of hay or compressed pellets would negate the profit, there is no other food source.
Free range cattle have been proven far healthier than stationary ones, but let's be real, there is simply not enough fenced range to subsist a healthy cattle population on Tortola.
Better sheep, hog, chicken and goats for protein.
You can always buy quality meat, but it is comes at a price.
that local meat pricing. No meat is free in the BVI.
VINO, come visit Belle Vue, Fahie Hill and Long Trench and you will hear the stories. This is the Ministry's stance on a problem affecting members of the public - who own property?! This is the same Ministry that wants the chickens and cats picked up. PICK THE COWS UP! Stop abetting the so-called farmers with this nonsense. The farmers taking the animals to the Abattoir and selling the meat to the supermarkets. The disenfranchised homeowner is stuck with the poo, broken pipes, destroyed fruit trees and landscaping. DO SOMETHING from MAKING LAME EXCUSES