THE EDITOR, Sir:
DURING THE past year there has been a massive decline in the cattle industry as may be seen from the number of stray animals on the roads and the empty and broken-down pastures chiefly within the parish of St. Elizabeth.
This was due to the news of the mad cow disease and the fact that the people had become very health-conscious with regard to red meat, hence the price of cattle fell so low that property owners just threw up their arms and allowed things to fall apart.
Having been involved in agriculture for a number of years, I had made the comment that sooner or later there will be a general shortage of beef due to the above factors. Lo and behold this fact has now faced us - high cost of beef due to scarcity of cattle. In the short run we will have to look to some country 'to get a piece of beef,' and the consumers will have to pay the price for such commodity.
The butchers will tell you that there is a scarcity of cattle, hence the price of beef will increase drastically and especially we the lovers of beef in all forms will have to 'cut' our eyes past such.
I am wondering why no one had foreseen the forthcoming plight that has now beset us. If the trend continues the dairy farmers would face the same dilemma as mentioned above.
It is now for the dairy farmers to take a keen look into their Association so as to tie up loose ends and not to face the same plight as the beef industry.
I am, etc.,
DEAN ARCHER
St. Elizabeth
