EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE BY THE VETERINARY AND LIVESTOCK SERVICES DIVISION TO VALIDATE THE COST OF PORK PRODUCTION.
The Veterinary and Livestock Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture is engaging in efforts to validate the retail pork prices set by the Saint Lucia Pig Farmers Co-operative Society Limited.
The Ministry of Agriculture, in recognizing the increase in the cost of feed, gas, labour and building materials, acknowledges the plight of the swine producers and the need for an increase in the price paid for pork.
While the ministry does not regulate the price of pork, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Sharmaine Melville-Edwin explains that efforts are being made by the Veterinary and Livestock Services Divison to validate the cost of production that has been prepared by the Pig Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd. Dr. Melville-Edwin also explained that as the Christmas holidays approach, the Ministry of Agriculture has increased monitoring and surveillance of
butchery practices to ensure compliance with public health guidelines and procedures.
Dr. Melville-Edwin encourages butchers and the general public to follow the Ministry of Health and Agriculture's public health guidelines and procedures as government works towards a safer and more efficient agriculture sector.