KINGSTON, Jamaica- The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is taking a multi-pronged approach to combat praedial larceny across the country.

Portfolio Minister, Floyd Green, outlined aspects of the ministry’s strategy during the 20th Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Investments and Capital Markets Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, on Thursday.

These include: proof of purchase in market spaces, strengthening of the praedial larceny unit, recruiting and training agricultural wardens, and increasing the fines for convicted people.

“We are going to get a lot more serious with looking in the market spaces, our abattoirs. Those who say they are butchers, you’re going to have to tell us where your meat comes from, and if you can’t tell us, then you’re going to be in problems,” the minister said.

Green pointed out that training for agricultural wardens will commence this quarter.

“They will be trained as police officers; they will be tasked to treat with agricultural crimes. We plan to deploy 300 over the next three years. We have already started recruitment; in fact, about 162 people have already qualified,” he said.

The minister also advised that fines have been increased to deter individuals from stealing from farmers.

“One of the things that people complain about is that, when persons are caught stealing, they get a little tap on the wrist. It used to be a maximum fine of $250,000 and maximum time in jail of six months. We moved that from $250,000 to $3 million and from six months to three years,” Green said.

– JIS