Gov’t Working to Revitalize Livestock Industry

MONTEGO BAY — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, says the Government is committed to ensuring the survival of the livestock industry, noting that several strategies are being implemented in collaboration with state and private agencies.

"We are confident that the livestock industry will survive. We are confident that with the policies of the Government and the investments of the private sector, we will be able to rebuild the livestock industry to be a vibrant part of the agricultural sector," he stated.

Minister Montague, who was addressing the 14th staging of the Minard Livestock Show and Beef Festival on November 10 in St. Ann, informed of collaboration with the Ministry of Education to increase the local milk content in the school feeding programme.

He said the Ministry is looking to boost milk production, noting that of the more than 140 million litres of the product that is consumed annually in Jamaica, only 25 million litres is produced locally.

Minister Montague expressed confidence in THE ability of the industry to flourish, stating that the livestock in Jamaica is among the best in the world.

The 2011 staging of Minard Livestock Show and Beef Festival was held under the theme: 'Livestock for life: Support our local industry'.

The show's objective is to improve the competitive marketing position of locally produced beef, milk and their value-added products, and to stimulate the interest of the general population, as well as the students, in the livestock industry.

By Bryan Miller, JIS Reporter