By: Olkeriil Eoghan Ngirudelsang
MELEKEOK, Palau – Locally raised and butchered pork is now available at WCTC’s West Melekeok store.
About 120 pounds of pork were delivered to the store last week. The meat, labeled simply “Local Pork,” is individually packaged and carries the seal of approval from Palau’s Bureau of Agriculture.
The piglets were originally sold by the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM). “I certify the pork meat before it goes to the stores,” said Dr. Kevin Lee, a veterinarian with TTM. All the pork sold at the store comes from a single pig farmer.
Lee said pigs are typically ready for processing when they weigh about 200 pounds. The meat sold at West Melekeok is certified by a veterinarian and was butchered at the Palau National Slaughterhouse, in accordance with Bureau of Agriculture regulations.
Lee visits pig farmers who bought piglets from TTM every month to inspect the animals and offer advice. He encourages interested farmers to contact TTM for assistance in raising, processing, and certifying pork for sale.