Other plans outlined to tackle praedial larceny

Farmers seeking to protect their crops and livestock are being encouraged to put security measures in place and are also being told they will be able to apply for a rebate for utilising technology in such efforts.

Word of this has come from Minister of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management, Dr. David Estwick. He spoke to it yesterday in the Lower House as Members of Parliament debated the Protection of Agricultural Products and Livestock Bill. He said the strengthening of farm security systems will be facilitated through the Ministry of Agriculture’s Incentives Programme. Minister Estwick indicated that this work has already started.

“Therefore those who want to use cameras, those who want to use drones – whether they are untethered drones or tethered drones, 50 per cent, Mr. Speaker, of the costs of that particular intention is managed under the rebate system of the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition to that, Mr. Speaker, we believe very strongly, Sir, that those administrative measures and those specific legal measures outlined just now under the new Protection of Agricultural Products and Livestock Bill will move the management and control of praedial larceny a long way in this country,” he said.

His remarks came as he indicated that the Ministry will be setting up a praedial larceny hotline. Minister Estwick said the work on this hotline has already begun. In addition, he said there are plans in the pipeline to establish a praedial larceny desk at the Ministry of Agriculture. He made the disclosure while telling Members of Parliament that his Ministry will soon be undertaking a comprehensive public sensitisation and education programme to ensure that Barbadians understand fully what the legislation entails and seeks to achieve. (JRT)