Saint Lucia’s commitment to modernising its livestock sector and raising food safety standards was on full display with the successful conclusion of a three-day Specialty Cuts Training program. The initiative, held from August 5 to 7, 2025, aimed to enhance the skills, quality, and market value of locally produced meat by training both commercial and roadside butchers from across the island.
The sessions, led by A.L. Waaldijk College, covered essential topics including proper meat handling, hygiene, and advanced cutting techniques. The goal was not only to improve the quality and presentation of meat but also to increase its marketability to local customers.
The training was a key part of ongoing efforts to modernize the nation’s pork industry. It was organised by the Veterinary and Livestock Services Department within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The ministry extended gratitude to key partners who made the hands-on sessions possible. Valley Cold Storage provided its facility, offering a professional environment for butchers to refine their craft. The impact of the training extended beyond professional development, becoming a noteworthy act of social responsibility. Valley Cold Storage and the Veterinary and Livestock Services Department donated the specialty meat cuts prepared during the sessions to local humanitarian institutions. Beneficiaries included Rosa Place and Cornerstone, ensuring the initiative directly benefited the wider community and touched local lives.
Officials from the Veterinary and Livestock Services Department described the training as a “vital step” toward building technical capacity, improving food quality, and enhancing economic opportunities within the local livestock sector.
The ministry reaffirmed its dedication to advancing Saint Lucia’s livestock value chain through continued collaboration, innovation, and the promotion of best practices that support both food security and social wellbeing across the island. (PR)
