Cattle exports to Guam hindered by lack of transportation

The plan to export Tinian cattle to Guam is being hindered by the lack of suitable boats to transport the livestock to the U.S. territory, according to Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz.

Speaking before yesterday’s budget hearing at the House of Representatives, Tinian’s chief executive said, “Our biggest problem is surface transportation. We only have the barge plying waters between Saipan and Guam and we’re working with shipping companies like Saipan Shipping Co. to see if we can bring another vessel so we can bring cattle from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota into Guam.”

He said exporting cattle and other livestock to the southernmost island of the Marianas chain could prove to be a big windfall for Tinian’s ranchers

“I’ve been working with the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] in Guam through the Association of Marianas Islands Mayors to spearhead the export of livestock to Guam because we found that live animals are more expensive in Guam than slaughtered animals. And we’re not only talking about cattle but also hogs, goats, and other livestock. I do need the assistance of the central government. I’ve been working aggressively with the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority to see if we can work out a system of ferryboat that can actually accomplish this task.”

The going rate of one head of cattle on Tinian is $600, but he expects to double that to $1,200 or even $1,500 when sold in Guam’s markets.

Dela Cruz, however, lamented that with the way the current government is run, it may take another decade for cattle exports to Guam to be realized.

“[That’s why] I’m now trying to bring in private companies that are interested in providing that transportation service and hopefully after a couple of years we can see some light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.”

Tinian is poised to increase by two-fold its herd by next year. Right now, the island has close to 2,000 heads of cattle and by next year, the mayor said they would be able to reach 5,000 heads.

“We are also anticipating that with the construction of the slaughterhouse we will be able to slaughter between 30 and 50 cattle a month that would be sufficient to sustain the beef initiative and be able to provide a small amount of revenue for Tinian. Cattlemen on Saipan are also getting into the picture and the beef initiative can be a CNMI-wide effort.”

Last month, Guam Gov. Ray Tenorio signed into law a bill that paved the way for the CNMI to export cattle or livestock to Guam.

The measure removed a required test for a cattle disease that is endemic to the whole Marianas but is no longer considered a major concern by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.