No Let-Up in Praedial Larceny Fight

State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Luther Buchanan, says the Government will be intensifying its fight against praedial larceny, the incidence of which has dropped by 14 per cent since March.

He warned that heavy fines will be meted out to those who continue to engage in the practice.

Addressing farmers and stakeholders at the 16^th staging of the Minard Livestock Show and Beef Festival in Brown’s Town, St. Ann, on Thursday, November 12, Mr. Buchanan said praedial larceny is one of the greatest deterrents to investments in agriculture.

“The Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit has been working overtime to address this problem and we are starting to see the results. Farmers have been working very hard to provide for their families and we have to do everything within our power to offer them protection from those who would simply want to rob them of their produce and livestock,” he said.

He informed that there are some proposed amendments to the laws, which will “crack down even further on farm theft.”

Mr. Buchanan, in meantime, said he is encouraged by the work of the organisers of the Minard Livestock Show and the quality of the animals and other exhibits.

He pointed to the need to provide support to stakeholders in the sector to enable them to seize opportunities.

“We have to train and encourage our butchers to get that special beef cut that the hotels need so we can have no more excuse as it relates to our local livestock,” he said.

“That is a very sizable and lucrative market and one that we need to capitalise on,” he noted further.

Member of Parliament for North West St. Ann, Dr. Dayton Campbell, said he was very impressed with the turnout which, he said, is a testament that agriculture is alive and well and that interest in the sector has been rekindled in a major way.

“Persons have started to realise that they can make a good and honest living out of the agricultural sector,” he said.

“I am even more encouraged to see the scores of students that are here today and also the strong presence of the 4-H movement,” he added.

The annual Minard Livestock Show and Beef Festival is staged collaboratively by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Cattle Breeders’ Society of Jamaica, Agro Investment Corporation (AIC), Sheep Farmers’ Association, and the Goat Breeders’ Association of Jamaica.

It is conceptualised as a family-oriented event that will assist to restore confidence in the livestock industry and serve as a platform for generating viable livestock enterprises.