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Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) urged the Prime Minister to redirect the $2.9 million saved from cancelling the Independence Day street parade toward assisting small pig farmers who lost their livelihoods in the culling to contain the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) outbreak.

The call came after the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries confirmed on August 14 that the humane depopulation of all pigs at an affected farm in north Trinidad was completed under strict biosecurity protocols.

A statement from the ministry quoted acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Lisa Musai as saying the swift and coordinated response reflected the government’s commitment to protecting livestock health and the viability of the pork industry.