Minister of Agriculture Alfred Prospere says there are plans in the works to create a community pasture as a possible solution to the growing problem of stray cattle on the island’s highways and roadways.
He acknowledged that land availability is a major challenge for cattle owners and said he has been engaging with stakeholders to address the issue.
Stressing the importance of finding a suitable location to place and manage stray cows, Prospere revealed that the government has 101 acres of land and is working with his ministry to identify a portion of this land to create a designated pasture for the animals.
“We have to do something,” the minister said at the pre-Cabinet press briefing on Monday. “The problem is one that is very concerning to me.”
The minister pointed out the significant risk to public safety caused by cows roaming on highways. He said there have been instances of animals causing damage to vehicles or injuring pedestrians.
Prospere reminded the public that under current regulations, it is an offence to have cattle roaming free on the highway.
He explained that while informal arrangements between cattle owners and affected parties sometimes resolve disputes, a more structured approach is needed.
“Usually, we place the cattle in a pound in Bexon, and between the owner and the other party, there is an arrangement. But if that arrangement is not one that is forthcoming, then the next step is to go to the courts,” Prospere said.
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Usually? That’s exactly what’s wrong with St. Lucia we allow people to get away with offenses we consider small until they feel it’s ok to get away with bigger ones. When you’ll get the land ready ensure these cattle owners pay a fine to house their cattle there. They wanna sell meat at exorbitant prices I dont feel bad if they are charged to house. Use that money to put towards education
My simple suggestion any stray animal without a branding to identify the owner gets seized slaughtered cooked and fed to the poor and needy.
Any animal found with branding identifying the owner, is seized owner is contacted to come collect and pay a fine.
Failure to do so will result in suggestion 1 being implemented.
@2 wrongs make u dead. Exactly. You can afford to buy cows but government have to find land for you to house them? What nonsense is this. The authorities are the problem. They all see the cattle on the highways causing danger to motorists. They do nothing to solve the problem despite the law giving them every means to. St. Lucia is a circus masquerading as a country.
It took Guy Joseph 2 weeks to make a decision to impound the animals and fine the owners. This ****** needs an entire bill to pass first.
MR MINISTER ,SO MUCH FOR PUTING PEOPLE FIRST.
Government must find a place to secure private cattle for their owners.
The cattle are not the problem “causing accidents and injuring pedestrians”! It’s the owners. And spare a thought for the animals too, they would much prefer to be in pasture and not roaming on roads trying to find somewhere to graze. A very large number of Lucians have no idea how to care for animals of any kind, and yet so many so-called Christians quote “Dominion over animals” from the Bible. The true meaning of “Dominion” is to care for them, not exploit (and abuse) them for their own purposes. Sigh…
The next time I get written up at work for traffic or accidents cause by cows, I am suing the Minister for Agriculture. Ever minute delay on the Castries Gros Islet Highway makes a huge difference in getting past Lucelec or the darling. It makes a huge difference in getting parking which isn’t on the other side of town next to a rough neighbourhood.
Meat for prisoners and the needy…… What’s the problem? How is that the responsibility of any government? Looks like this minister needs more work to keep him occupied. The only facility Prospere should be taking about is a holding area to give owners a reasonable grace period to collect the animals at a cost. After 30 days is a wrap – slaughter house. Doubt this would ever be an issue again.
Thank you mr Rude
The problème is not the animals,live and let live ❗
Bring back Beauséjour livestock developement
Is this a joke? Are livestock owners not responsible for providing land for their livestocks? Since they are roaming free on other people’s land I guessed that everyone is welcome to eat them for free. The stupidness and lacksy-daisy government some times leaves me scratching my head and I don’t care which party is in power. They’re all the same.