[dropcap]O[/dropcap]ne requirement for the Pearl of the Caribbean project earmarked for the community of Vieux Fort is the implementation of an Equine Disease-Free Zone. The World Organization for Animal Health describes the EDFZ as “the temporary establishment of a zone free from specified multiple diseases. The establishment of an EDFZ can be considered by countries that wish to host an international equestrian sport event but that cannot control and eradicate all equine diseases in their entire territory.”
The EDFZ comprises a core zone where the event takes place, and a surveillance zone in which the health status of all animals is “known, monitored and understood.” It also consists of a protection zone to preserve the health status of equines from other animals. The Taiwanese-gifted abattoir falls into the area for the free zone and earlier this month Agriculture Minister Ezechiel Joseph indicated that a new location had been identified to construct a new facility—financed by DSH. At a meeting sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in the presence of Desert Star Holding’s Teo Ah Khing, the prime minister reiterated that there is an agreement with DSH developers to finance the project but that the abattoir will not form part of the slated-for-demolition list that includes the parliament building, the courthouse, and government printery. “I want to dismiss this idea that we’re breaking down the abattoir,” said the prime minister. “There’s absolutely never been a discussion to break down the abattoir; maybe converting its use to something else and that is strictly because of the horses and creating this quarantine area.”
He indicated that the DSH developers will reimburse the money and that not one, but two abattoirs, will be built in different locations. He announced that one is to be placed in Marc, Bexon and that the Ministry of Agriculture is currently identifying the other location.He said his government had been “upfront” with the Taiwanese government; that they understand the direction the Saint Lucian government is going. He described the imminent relocation as a “blessing in disguise” because the current facility would be “very costly” to run.
The abattoir will not be the only facility to be relocated. The prime minister stated that the Beausejour farm, located in the zone, will also soon be in a new resting place. Members of the opposition Saint Lucia Labour Party have expressed their disappointment that the abattoir will be relocated and have criticized the government for giving investor Teo Ah Khing “freedom to do whatever he pleases”. Said former Agriculture minister Moses Jn. Baptiste: “It is very unfortunate for the farmers of Saint Lucia. And we know that all of this is happening simply because of the wishes of Teo Ah Khing. That’s why we continue to say that the prime minister and his cabinet have become puppets of Teo Ah Khing.”
Former foreign minister Alva Baptiste said that while the Taiwanese may not publicly criticize the government’s decision, it will cause them to rethink how they assist the island in the future. He said: “While you may sit with the Taiwanese and they may say, ‘We understand the new vision, we understand the new thrust,’ certainly it’s going to create some injury to our diplomatic relations. They may not say, ‘No, I will not assist you,’ but they are going to learn from history and may say, ‘You are not treating our gift with respect, so we are going to another jurisdiction where persons need those resources for legitimate development.’” Of course the opposition MP, without evidentiary support for his statement, left himself wide open to accusations that his words amounted to convenient speculations and wishful thinking.
