The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

CHRISTMAS just got worse for some Bahamian farmers after hundreds of pounds of their meat spoiled after a cooler at the Farrington Road Abattoir stopped working over the weekend.

The farmers, many of whom had hoped to make money from selling the meat this week, will likely be deprived of potential funds during the holiday season.

Farmers have been critical of the government ever since the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) assumed managerial responsibility of institutions like the Feed Mill, the Abattoir, the Produce Exchange and the Fish and Farm Store last year, citing unprofessionalism as a primary concern.

However, the spoilage of their meat has brought their frustrations to a new level, according to Lavarity Deveaux, a 69-year-old farmer and brother of former Environment Minister Earl Deveaux, who found out about the development yesterday.

Farmers are required to have their livestock inspected at the Abattoir by a veterinarian before it is slaughtered. Afterwards, a health inspector has to check the meat before farmers can take it out of the facility and deliver the animal products to customers.

Mr Deveaux had hoped to pick up his six pigs and three sheep on Saturday, but the facility was not open at the time.

Once sold, his livestock would have reaped him more than $1,000, he told The Tribune.

Officials have promised to reimburse farmers for the loss of their meat, although they have not given a timeline for when this will happen, he added.

The last time an incident of this nature took place – due a clipped electricity line – Mr Deveaux said it took three months before he was reimbursed.

The Tribune was unable to reach BAIC officials for comment yesterday.

“Ouch!” exclaimed Simeon Pinder, director of agriculture and fisheries, when told about the matter yesterday, although the Ministry of Agriculture no longer deals with the Abattoir.

“There have been problems in the past at the Abattoir, but not to this extent,” Mr Pinder said when informed that meat from 30 animals was spoiled.

Meanwhile, Mr Deveaux said the loss will dampen his holiday.

“I need the money before Christmas,” he said. “We were already struggling with farming, but this will make it harder all around. Christmas for Bahamians is family, friends and food. If you can’t provide food you know then Christmas is gone. How can you have your family coming for something to eat and you don’t have the money to get the food? I have to get something for the wife. You know anytime you don’t give the wife something for her Christmas or birthday then it’s a different experience.”