Jamaica records an increase in the arrests of praedial larcenists

Kingston,Jamaica : Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Jamaica Floyd Green is reporting an increase in the arrests of praedial larcenists this year, stemming from new approaches implemented by the Government to tackle farm theft.

"Since January [to October], we have had 69 arrests examined to 39 arrests for the same period last year. So there is almost a 100 per cent

increase in arrests since this new way in the praedial robbery," he stated.

"We see great success in parishes like St Thomas," he pointed out.

The minister was greeting the virtual staging of the Eat Jamaican Day 2020 Celebration yesterday.

While not sharing the new approaches, Green noted that focus had been placed on strengthening the work of the Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordination Unit, including the acquisition of seven new vehicles.

The system collaborates with the Ministry of National Security and other stakeholders to curtail the theft of agricultural produce across Jamaica. It makes provision for the appointment of agricultural wardens to engage and assist farmers.

"We are building out praedial larceny units across the JCF, across various divisions. A plan is a specialised unit that is adequately resourced [to deal with] reports of praedial larceny," he noted.

He said the Government is also working to address praedial larceny in the fisheries sector in relation to poaching of the country's natural resources, pointing to the newly launched enforcement vessel "that we have already rolled out to help our fish sanctuaries protect those conservation areas".

The acquisition of the vessel, which was funded through a US$165,000 grant from the World Bank, will allow the Government to better police the country's shores as it works to support fishers and strengthen its enforcement efforts. The vessel will be used in a programme that will impact illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices within the coastal areas.

In the meantime, the minister praised farmers for continuing to produce even with the challenges faced throughout the year, particularly the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.