KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) says it wants a compensation fund for victims of praedial larceny, among other measures, to “send a strong and clear message to the farm thieves”.

In a letter to Agriculture Minister Karl Samuda, shared with the media, JAS President Norman Grant said the society welcomed Samuda’s intention to make amendments  to the legislation that will increase fines for farm theft from $250,000 to $3 million or up to five years imprisonment.

However, Grant said the JAS desired an increase to $5 million rather than $3 million, as well as the establishment of a victim compensation fund for farmers who suffered from theft, which he argued costs the sector approximately $6 billion annually.

Grant also called on the Government to place the Praedial Larceny and the Agricultural Produce Acts within the framework of the Proceeds of Crime Act, in order to give the State authority to seize the assets of those who steal from farmers and use those assets to seed the victim compensation fund.