Agriculture updates lawmakes on abattoir, other department challenges

ST. CROIX — Senate Finance Committee members received an update from territory Agriculture leaders on Thursday.

Lawmakers heard during Petersen’s prepared testimony that the aging St. Croix facility and outdated equipment was one of the department’s “greatest challenges.”

The department closed the facility on April 29 after a routine inspection revealed major maintenance issues. Petersen told senators on Thursday the department was slated to begin installing a new boiler that day and a new rumping station had already been installed. The department has also selected a vendor to purchase and install a new hoist, and the facility’s 50-year-old piping is in the process of being installed and insulated.

“Upon the conclusion of this major renovation project, the St. Croix abattoir will be fully functional and prepared to serve our clients,” he said. The future of livestock processing appeared less certain on St. Thomas, and farmers there have long had to ship livestock to St. Croix — until that facility’s closure earlier this year.