THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE INSTITUTES MEASURES TO CONTROL STRAY LIVESTOCK ALONG MAIN ROADS.
The Veterinary and Livestock Division is issuing a final appeal to farmers before instituting the impounding of animals under the 2005 Animal Act. The additional emphasis on securing stray animals comes after months of sensitization and deliberation with farmers on the long-standing issue of unsecured animals posing hazards to pedestrians and vehicular traffic on the road network.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Charmine Melville, explains that while the sensitization efforts have been successful in the past, the stray and wandering cattle population remains a major issue.
“We understand the needs of our cattle farmers, we understand the challenges that they face, especially those who are not landowners and we understand the need for food security and food sovereignty and so we have been working with them and discussing strategies. However, unsecured animals are a hazard to motorists, to pedestrians, and they’re a hazard to property owners as well.”
Several control measures have been implemented as part of the stakeholder sensitisation campaign, including the tagging of animals in order to identify the animal’s location and owner.
As the next phase of the campaign continues, the Chief Veterinary Officer urges cattle farmers to follow the guidelines established by the act, and secure their animals in order to avoid having their animals impounded. Cattle farmers who fail to subdue animals commits an offence and are liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000 or to imprisonment for two years or both.
“Cattle owners must take responsibility for their livestock,” said Dr. Melville. “There has to be ownership especially in the absence of barriers like fencing and corrals. So we are serving one final notice to our cattle farmers.”
While the Veterinary and Livestock Services department’s efforts to control stray livestock continue, public adherence to legislation enacted by the Government of Saint Lucia remains critical to preventing an increase in stray animals and maintaining security along with the island’s road network.
