Government Advances Relocation of Cattle from Choc Bay to Enhance Public Safety

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Sustainable Development wishes to inform the public that the long-awaited relocation of cattle from the Choc Bay area is actively underway. This critical initiative forms part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding lives and reducing the risk of accidents caused by stray animals along the Sir Julian R. Hunte, John Compton and Allan Bousquet highway.

The relocation process is an intricate undertaking and will take several days to complete. Operational teams are currently addressing a number of challenges, including securing loose animals, safely sedating them where necessary, and transporting them onto specialized vehicles for transfer. To date, a significant number of cattle have already been successfully relocated, and these efforts will continue steadily over the coming weeks. The Ministry extends sincere appreciation to Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Melville, and her dedicated livestock services team for their professionalism, coordination, and tireless work in ensuring the safe execution of this operation.

Importantly, the Ministry assures the public that the relocated animals will be transported to a secure facility. They will not be released to become a further nuisance to the motorist, as the Government remains resolute in implementing structured and responsible livestock management practicesacross the island.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Sustainable Development, Hon. Lisa Jawahir, emphasized the urgency of the initiative, stating:

“The Prime Minister’s instructions were clear – keep the people of Saint Lucia safe – and so we are moving quickly to ensure we preserve lives. This issue has spanned decades, but we are pleased that we are finally about to close this chapter and move on to ensuring that the habit of tying animals along our highways is discontinued. We will work closely with other Government departments to ensure proper signage and cautions are erected to discourage animal grazing close to public roads and to hold offenders accountable.”

The Ministry’s overarching goal for this project is to preserve lives while fostering safer roadways for motorists and pedestrians alike. In the interim, the public is strongly advised to exercise caution when approaching the Choc Bay area, as relocation activities will remain ongoing for some time.

The Ministry thanks the public for its patience and cooperation as this important national effort progresses.