With the increase in the need for food safety in Saint Lucia’s Agriculture Sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development has partnered with the Department of Environmental Health to host a Meat Inspection Program.

REPORT: Meat Inspection Program

REPORTER: Anicia Antoine

Date: October 22nd, 2021

 

SUGGESTED LEAD: With the increase in the need for food safety in Saint Lucia’s Agriculture Sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural

Development has partnered with the Department of Environmental Health to

host a Meat Inspection Program.

 

Narration

The Meat Inspection Program was a two-part training program primarily targeted at

officers from the Livestock Division and the Department of Environmental Health. The

training included both a practical and theoretical session on how to conduct proper

antemortem and postmortem inspections. An antemortem inspection is performed on

an animal before slaughter, whereas a post mortem inspection is performed after

slaughter.

According to the Animal Health Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Columbus Phillipe

at the Ministry of Agriculture, while Saint Lucia is not known to have any diseases that

would render the carcasses unsafe; there are conditions that can render the meat's

quality unmarketable. He emphasized the importance of the inspections in protecting

public health by ensuring that carcasses and parts entering commerce are wholesome

and disease-free.

 

{Clip} Columbus Philippe – Animal Health Officer

“Both ministries are suffering from the lack of resources in terms of manpower. A

Lot of the old guys so to speak are on their way out and we’re seeking to train the

younger members of staff, it’s a more in-house training program assisted by PAO.

We are trying to pass on the knowledge, pass on the information to the younger

staff and to bring into the fold where they could carry out an inspection when myself

 and other senior members leave”.

 

Narration

PAHO Consultant, Claudius Prospere says that whilst antemortem and post mortem

training is necessary and informative, the onus is on the participants to continue to

practice and improve their skill set.

 

{Clip} Claudius Prospere - PAHO Consultant

“We are hoping that after they have witnessed what has happened here today that

it prompts them because you’d well appreciate that this one-off session will not

make them qualified or versed in conducting post mortem and antemortem

inspection so we are hoping that this session would serve as a springboard where

they can go out there and do further research and continue this kind of inspection

so that they can be well versed”

 

Narration

Before slaughtering animals for commerce, livestock butchers/farmers should contact

the Department of Agriculture's Veterinary and Livestock Division. Consumers are also

urged to exercise caution and safety when purchasing meat products.