( L - R ) Grant and Duffus

Despite efforts to curb the scourge of praedial larceny livestock farmers continue to feel the brunt of the crime which is threatening to destroy the already struggling sector.

Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) has expressed alarm at the troubling trend which is most prevalent in the parish of St. Elizabeth. According to him, one farmer was relieved recently of 40 heads of cattle in one attempt, while another farmer in the parish lost 32.

Balteano Duffus, general secretary of the Beef and Dairy Producers Association of Jamaica (BADPAJ) said the loss to the livestock sector as a result of cattle thefts alone was projected to reach more than $100 million this year. The fallout from cattle thefts last year was estimated between $60 and $80 million. Figures on the exact number of livestock thefts for this year were not immediately available.

Senator Grant attributed the high rate of livestock thefts in St. Elizabeth to the reluctance of farmers to utilise the recently implemented receipt book system due to what he said was influence from prominent persons.

"The Jamaica Agricultural Society wishes to use this medium to call on those persons to resist the temptation to influence the farmers in not purchasing the receipt books as this system will not only help to deter thieves, but will give the police a good cause to catch the thieves," he urged in a release issued last week.

But Mr. Duffus contended that the receipt book system was not effective in stemming praedial larceny among livestock farmers as the police were not vigilant in investigating reports.

Proposal submitted

Employees of Fairview Farms in Southfield, St. Elizabeth, restrain the senior red poll supreme champion bull weighing 1,800 pounds at the 54th annual Denbigh Agricultural Show in May Pen, Clarendon, on August 6. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer

He said a proposal was submitted to the Ministers of Justice and National Security respectively for the establishment of a special court to preside over praedial larceny cases exclusively.

In the meantime, the JAS president said the farmers' organisation would be stepping up its public education campaign with a series of roadshows which started on December 14 at the Salvation Army church hall in Hill Top, St. Elizabeth. The roadshows will be held over a three-month period across the island in collaboration with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority and the Island Special Constabulary Force.

He also said a special desk and hotline would be esta-blished at the JAS headquarters to deal specifically with praedial larceny reports in the new year.