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Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Israel Bruce, says the Government will use a wide range of initiatives, including modern technology and increased penalties, to tackle the scourge of praedial larceny. His comments came as he paid a visit to the CARDI Field Station at Orange Hill, where the entity is engaged in experimenting with climate-smart practices using tomatoes and sweet peppers.

Minister Bruce said that, much like the impacts of climate change, the theft of produce and animals threatens this country’s food security. He noted that he has had conversations with Taiwan’s Ambassador to SVG on how they can partner in the fight against praedial larceny.

“We've had initial conversations about how do we seek to integrate Taiwan's technology in Saint Vincent's agriculture but I've not stopped there and I'm going to be out front to say this in about a month or two from now I am hoping that we would be able to release at least 1,000 cameras to farmers across this country that would help to address the issue of praedial larceny,” Minister Bruce said.

He added that work will also be done to tighten the legislation as it relates to praedial larceny.

“I'm going to ask for increased penalties as it regards praedial larceny. I am now talking about the use of technology to assist the farmers and to assist the prosecutors in prosecuting. I spoke to the ministry, the technical fellows in the ministry about the setting up of a praedial larceny unit.

Whether or not that is housed at the Ministry of Agriculture, housed with the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police force, the modalities of that is yet to be worked out. I have to have some follow-up discussions with the Minister of National Security. I have already sent to the desk of the Honourable Attorney General traceability regulations to see how we can implement certain aspects of the praedial larceny act and to ensure that farmers get some reprieve so that the thieves must not feel comfortable.”

Minister Bruce said he is looking forward to discussions with the Minister of Legal Affairs on the possibility of the creation of an evening or agriculture court to ensure that farmers can quickly receive their compensation. The Agriculture Minister took the opportunity to encourage those engaged in stealing crops and animals to desist, noting that the practice harms the overarching objective of reducing the country’s food import bill.

SOURCE: Agency For Public Information (API)