Previous Story
DLNR to revive only slaughterhouse on Saipan
|
Posted on Feb 05 2009
The Department of Land and Natural Resources is now working on reviving the only slaughterhouse on Saipan, according to DLNR Secretary Dr. Ike de la Cruz.
Henry S. Hofschneider, special assistant to the DLNR secretary, said yesterday the department leased out the slaughterhouse to a private entity, Seishin Farm Saipan Inc., on Feb. 19, 1999.
The private enterprise operated successfully for years after leasing the property from DLNR, supplying the local community and even Guam with fresh pork. When the demand for fresh pork decreased, coupled with U.S. Department of Agriculture’s strict sanitary requirements, the businesses slowed down until it closed, leaving Saipan without a slaughterhouse for years, said Hofschneider.
The 15-year lease agreement is supposed to expire in 2019.
Hofschneider said the agreement has provisions on the termination of the deal and in this particular case, Seishin Farm Saipan Inc.’s unpaid lease and abandonment of the property are among the reasons for DLNR’s plan to end the lease agreement. He said DLNR is working with the Attorney General’s Office on the lease termination.
During a Wednesday press conference on the Feb. 11 to 12 Agricultural Summit, Cruz announced that the DLNR plans to terminate the lease agreement and restore the slaughterhouse.
“We’re just about done with the cancellation of the lease agreement, and it will take additional two to three months before we take back possession of the slaughterhouse,” he said.
Ramon B. Camacho, vice chair of the Saipan Municipal Council, said there’s a demand for fresh pork, beef and other meat products in the local community. He said just like vegetables and fruits, fresh pork and other meat products can also be sold to the US military on Guam.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said he supports the revival of the slaughterhouse on Saipan. He also disclosed another investor that plans to raise 20,000 pigs and plant root crops on Tinian to feed the pigs, and eventually operate a slaughterhouse on the island.
