Wanted: slaughter permit system now - Attacking praedial larceny
May 27, 2008
Dr Karl Wellington, chairman of the Jamaica Red Poll Cattle Breeders' Society, says historical animal-control systems would be more effective in stamping out the scourge of praedial larceny than current methods.
"We have got to go back to the basics, to the livestock regulation that deals with how you control the slaughter and the transportation of animals," he tells The Gleaner. "This regulation clearly defines who butchers and at the same time addresses food safety, animal health and sanitary issues when it comes to meat."
He continues: "There is no proper mechanism in place. The old livestock-control regulation that we are operating under goes back to 1942. As a matter of fact, some of these regulations are being breached."
Wellington, who worked as an animal breeder in the Ministry of Agriculture for more than 25 years, argues that there are regulations governing animal slaughter and the inspection and disposal of meat.
Receipt-book system
A receipt-book system, implemented during the reign of the previous People's National Party administration, was championed as a tracking strategy to inhibit praedial larceny. It features a registration number for each farmer which is used by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, under its Agri-Business Information System, enabling the authorities to electronically verify the origin of the produce. Receipt books were introduced under The Agricultural Produce (Amendment) Act (2004) and made provision for the introduction of compulsory receipt books to replace certificates.
An amendment was made to the legislation, giving the police discretionary leeway to decide what amounts of goods were domestic or commercial, while the maximum fine for breaches of the act was increased from $1,000 to $250,000.
But Dr Christopher Tufton, the new minister of agriculture, has roundly criticised the system as a failure.
In his presentation during the 2008/09 Budget Debate, Tufton said that the receipt-book system, which was implemented four years ago, had not succeeded in identifying end users, serving only to frustrate and punish legitimate farmers.
Multi-pronged approach
Wellington agrees, adding that that system can only work as part of a multi-pronged approach, incorporating increased police patrols, intensive investigations and swift resolution of court cases....
Author: Mark Titus
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
