St. Eustatius Agriculture & Veterinary Services (LVV)
The island's one-stop office for pet paperwork, plant permits, and farm know-how
Why Go
Tucked into the F. D. Roosevelt Airport complex in Oranjestad, LVV is where Statia's small but stubborn agricultural life meets the practical business of getting pets, plants, and produce on and off the island. It isn't a stop on a tourist itinerary in the usual sense — but if you're arriving with a dog, curious about the roaming goats, or interested in the island's push for food self-sufficiency, this is the office that quietly keeps it all running.
The Experience
LVV (Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij — Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries) is a working government department, not a museum or visitor centre. Expect a modest office with a counter, a few staff who know every farmer and pet owner on the island by name, and a yard where field kit and animal-handling equipment come and go. Conversations here range from cattle tagging and goat-roaming ordinances to import checks for the day's flight from Sint Maarten. Time it right and you'll pick up more genuine insight into Statia's rural life in fifteen minutes than a week of driving around the Quill will give you.
What to Try
Come with a specific question and staff are generous with their time: ask about the free-roaming livestock program (the goats you'll see everywhere are part of a long-running management effort), the community garden and hydroponics initiatives, or the sea-turtle and iguana conservation work that overlaps with their remit. If you're travelling with a pet, this is the office that stamps your import/export health certificate — do it in person rather than over email if you can.
Insider Tip
Call or email a day ahead before you visit; the team is often out in the field doing inspections, checking livestock, or meeting a flight. Mornings (roughly 8:30–11:30) are your best bet for catching someone at the desk, and Statia runs on relationships — mention who referred you and doors open faster.
The Practical Stuff
Location: F. D. Roosevelt Airport compound, Oranjestad (plus code F2VC+XC4) — a two-minute drive from the terminal. Government office hours apply (typically weekday mornings; closed on public holidays and Statia-Day). Bring photo ID and any existing paperwork (pet vaccination records, EU pet passports, phytosanitary certificates). Parking is free on-site. No fee for general enquiries; standard government fees apply for permits and certificates.
Pair It With
- F. D. Roosevelt Airport Guide — Literally next door — handle your LVV paperwork on the same trip as arrival, departure, or an inter-island hop to Saba or Sint Maarten.
- Bacchanalia Guide — A short walk away in Oranjestad — a good spot to sit down with a coffee or lunch after your errand and swap notes on island life.
- The Quill National Park — Statia's iconic dormant volcano is a natural next stop; LVV staff can point you toward the trailhead and share context on the flora and fauna you'll encounter.
- Barrel House St. Eustatius — A nearby classic apartment stay if your paperwork or livestock business keeps you on the island an extra night.
