Byron Buckley, News EditorThe Senate yesterday passed a motion calling on government to halt the construction of housing schemes on prime farm lands until a policy decision is made on the use of such lands.
In addition, the motion calls for part of the tax on the value of former agricultural lands that are now being used for residential or commercial purposes to be directed to agriculture.
Senator Norman Grant, who enthusiastically moved the resolution, wants the proceeds from the tax to go into the agriculture development fund that has been proposed by the Jamaica Agriculture Society (JAS).
"We are not calling for a new sales tax," explained Senator Grant, who is the JAS president. He said he was merely calling for the agricultural sector to benefit from a portion of the increased taxation that the property would attract because of its non-agricultural use.
Citing Statistical Institute of Jamaica data, Senator Grant suggested that the National Land Agency (NLA) audit the island's idle arable land and afterwards owners be required to put at least 70 per cent in production within a prescribed period.
Those who fail to do so, he suggested, should be charged a tax, which should go to the JAS agriculture development fund.
dangerous trend
Grant, who received support for his motion from government and Opposition colleagues, argued against the construction of housing schemes on especially arable lands which facilitate mechanisation and had irrigation infrastructure in place.
In this regard he stressed the incipient danger of the country being unable to feed itself, if a halt is not made to the rampant utilisation of farm lands for residential and commercial purposes.
"We are giving up the capacity to irrigate our country," said Minority Leader, Senator Anthony Johnson, who pointed out the folly of building houses on flat land , while relegating farming to hilly and stony terrain.
In their contributions Senators Trevor Munroe, Bruce Golding, Noel Monteith and Burchel Whiteman also noted the tension between the use of land for residential versus agricultural purposes. They stressed the need for a balanced approach.
preliminary report
Senator Whiteman, the leader of government business, disclosed that a preliminary report on the use of agricultural lands adjacent to Highway 2000 development was almost ready.
He said the report has addressed many of the concerns raised by Senator Grant about the use of agricultural lands
The Senate decided yesterday to refer the 'farm land use' resolution to a select committee, the deliberations of which will be sent to the Cabinet for its consideration.
