Ministry of Agriculture to Break Ground on Abattoir Come January 2000

Contact: John Emmanuel

October 12, 1999 - Plans are being finalized for the construction here of an abattoir. So says the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture. According to Dr. James Fletcher, come January, the ministry is hoping to break ground on the abattoir, that is to be built in the south of the island.

"The area that seems best suited for a abattoir is the south, somewhere in the 'Cantonment' area in Vieux Fort. Now there has been debate on this because many of the butchers are located in the north of the island so the argument is where do you locate the abattoir. Do you locate it closer to the butchers or closer to the animals?"

"There are many reasons why an abattoir in Vieux Fort will make more sense than one in the north of the island. Simply put there is a lot more land available in Vieux Fort together with the greatest concentration of animals."

Dr. Fletcher says in the initial stages government will operate the facility, to ensure that the necessary sanitary conditions are adhered to, but in the long run the abattoir will be managed by a private sector organization.

To date the Ministry has held extensive discussions with butchers, farmers and consultants from the Food and Agricultural Organization concerning the location of the abattoir. The Ministry is of the view that the construction of the abattoir in Vieux Fort does not preclude the setting up of other such facilities around the island.

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