FROME, Westmoreland — Stray animals, which have long wreaked havoc on Westmoreland’s roads, are now eating into cane farmers’ profit, according to Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company Limited, operators of Frome Sugar Factory.

“Normally, the damage will be at the beginning when the cane grows. That will cause damage [to the] roots. It will be very, very difficult for the cane to regrow, which will delay the harvesting period and also cause poor quality of the cane. That’s the major damage we suffer from the animals,” explained the company’s Chief Executive Officer Zudui Zhang.

He was speaking with the media following a recent meeting and tour of the factory by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining Floyd Green.

A similar tale was relayed by one sugar cane farmer who did not wish to be named. He told the Jamaica Observer that there are sometimes violent clashes between farmers and owners of the stray animals which are mostly cattle.

“To establish one acre of cane costs about $300,000 to $400,000. And when you plant it, sometimes as you reap it, here come these animals and just destroy everything,” he said. “That is why you see so much empty land in Westmoreland, especially in the cane belt.”

He said the damage done by animals, coupled with low rates paid for crop in the past, has made cane farming unattractive.

“That’s the main reason why a lot of people come out. The profitability is so small and then you can’t afford to get fencing. And even when you fence it, they cut it down sometimes,” argued the farmer.

He said property owners have been left reeling from their inability to earn a living from their land.

“When these lands don’t have anything on it, when these landowners have to pay their taxes, where are they supposed to get this money? Because the production of the land is used to pay these taxes. So, it’s a big challenge for them to pay; and when they don’t pay, they take them to court for the money. And there’s no redress for these people…so that they can get their place sorted out and put it into production to take care of their bills,” he complained.

The issues he raised were among the reasons for the meeting with the agriculture minister. Among those present were representatives of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

Green stressed that it will require action from all stakeholders to address the concerns raised. One of the action items identified is the setting up of an animal pound. He said, working with Pan-Caribbean, with the WMC’s consent, an agreement has been reached on a suitable location.

“We have gone through that process. The municipal corporation has also indicated that it is in the market looking for a contractor to work with them on the impounding of animals. But we do appreciate that it would require additional effort,” said Green.

He also noted that the assistance of the security forces would be required.

“I have committed to reaching out to the commissioner of police and also to the head of the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) to see if we can work with all stakeholders to undertake the operations needed to take the animals off the road,” said the minister.

He believes that once the pound is fully operational and unattended animals are impounded, this could be a wake-up call for their owners.

“We have decided that we will pull together a smaller team, have those meetings, and hopefully over the next few months establish a task force to move forward in that regard,” stated Green.