THE DEMAND for beef has been considerably high, the Ministry of Agriculture has reported. It said that especially since a temporary ban was imposed on the meat from the United States of America last December when a case of mad cow disease was detected there, there has been a shortage of beef, especially local beef.
Data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) show that from January 2001 to June 2003 more than 901 tonnes of beef valued at approximately $382.8 million were imported.
Recognising the shortage of prime beef in the hotel industry, Dr. Karl Wellington, chairman of the Jamaica Livestock Association's (JLA) Beef Cattle Committee said: "The reality of free trade demands the retooling of the local industry to guarantee a supply of high grade, sanitary beef for both domestic consumption and the hotel industry."
He said, the traditional system where farmers sold their cattle at low cost, while butchers raked in high profits was unfair.
Dr. Wellington cited the JLA's proposal for the establishment of modern meat processing facilities to replace the 11 municipal abattoirs and the 900 slaughterhouses islandwide.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Agriculture says investigation and evaluation programmes are being carried out at Bodles Research Station and Minard Estate to improve the quality of local cattle breeds.
