SXMElections.com

MARIGOT--The first container of emergency food for livestock arrived at Galisbay Port on Friday from Guadeloupe, destined for farmers and stockbreeders to sustain their animals during this summer’s unprecedented drought.

In July, the Collectivité had released 20,000 euros of emergency aid to buy food and water for the animals. The subvention was given to Association de Développement de L’Elevage et la Promotion des Produits Agricoles Locaux (ADEPPAL) to purchase supplies and distribute on a priority basis.

Owners of livestock were asked to make declarations of their situation and numbers of animals in order to determine how the goods should be distributed.

The first delivery of 20 tons consisted of 600 bags of feed for cattle and 200 bags for goats.

“The distribution was completed today,” Julien Gumbs, on behalf of ADDEPAL, confirmed on Tuesday. He added that farmers for now have sufficient drinking water for their animals from wells and other sources.

The next delivery will be 1,026 bales of grass expected around September 20 to 24.

Gumbs said the value of the contents of the two containers comes in at just under 20,000 euros, but is still not enough food.

“We are working hard with the State to see if we can get another container of grass.”