THE local agricultural sector has been benefiting from a sharp decline in praedial larceny and related agricultural crimes but a recent spike in cattle theft and illegal slaughter is emerging as a new challenge for livestock farmers, meat processors, and regulators.

The development comes even as authorities ramp up efforts to protect agricultural investments and strengthen confidence across Jamaica’s food production value chain.

According to senior superintendent of police and commanding officer of the Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) Oral Pascoe, agricultural crimes have fallen by approximately 58 per cent since the branch significantly expanded its operations last year.

Pascoe attributed the improvement to stronger legislation; enhanced monitoring systems; stricter enforcement measures; and increased collaboration among farmers, regulators and law enforcement agencies.

“For years, agricultural crime was averaging between 700 and 800 reports annually but since the implementation of a more aggressive compliance and enforcement framework those figures have been reduced significantly,” Pascoe told the Jamaica Observer during an interview this week.

“Since the intensified operations began we’ve reduced those numbers substantially and have also made more than 600 arrests this year,” he added

The decline is being welcomed by an industry that has long viewed praedial larceny as one of its greatest obstacles to productivity, profitability and investment. Farmers have consistently argued that theft increases operating risks, erodes returns, and discourages expansion.

While the decline has been encouraging, Pascoe however said that criminals in recent times have been increasingly turning their attention to cattle, particularly cows and bulls, amid rising beef prices and strong market demand.

PASCOE…for years, agricultural crime was averaging between 700 and 800 reports annually but since the implementation of a more aggressive compliance and enforcement framework those figures have been reduced significantly

His comments come against the backdrop of recent reports of illegally slaughtered cattle, which have prompted fresh warnings from authorities about the dangers of purchasing uninspected meat that may have entered the food chain through illicit channels.

Historically, goats were among the most commonly stolen livestock in Jamaica. However, Pascoe said recent regulatory reforms have made it significantly more difficult to transport stolen cattle.

Central to that effort is the creation of the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS), which requires cattle to be tagged and accompanied by official passports documenting ownership and movement.

“You simply cannot move a cow legally in Jamaica without the proper tag and passport,” Pascoe said. “Once we stop anyone transporting an animal without the required documentation we can take immediate enforcement action.”

As a result, the APB commanding officer believes thieves are increasingly resorting to illegal bush slaughter operations rather than attempting to transport live animals.

“We believe the thieves have shifted to bush slaughter because moving a live stolen animal has become much more difficult. So, instead of transporting the animal they often kill it in the bush, process the meat, and move it in smaller portions,” he noted.

In response, the APB has expanded operations across major livestock-producing parishes — including Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth — which account for a significant share of the island’s cattle population.

Among its raft of initiatives, the branch has intensified roadblocks, farm patrols, intelligence-led operations, and livestock inspections. It has also stepped up efforts to address stray cattle — impounding more than 150 animals that posed risks to motorists or have caused damage to crops.

These activities have also been supported by sweeping legislative changes introduced over the past two years. Amendments to the Agricultural Produce Act and related laws have increased penalties for agricultural offences as much as tenfold in some instances, strengthening the deterrent against farm-related crimes.

Pascoe disclosed that the APB is currently tracking close to 100 individuals believed to be involved in organised agricultural theft networks.

Despite the recent increase in cattle theft and illegal slaughter, he remains confident that agricultural crime can be reduced even further.

Year-to-date reports stand at approximately 130 incidents, and the APB is targeting fewer than 300 reports by year-end, despite the traditional rise in criminal activity that often occurs between August and Christmas.

Underscoring the importance of protecting the sector, Pascoe said his team remains committed to combating all forms of agricultural crime.

“Agriculture remains a critical sector, contributing significantly to GDP, providing employment, and earning foreign exchange,” he said. “Given its importance, we will continue to monitor, enforce and eliminate activities that threaten the livelihoods of farmers and the country’s food security.

“Our goal is to build a regulated agricultural system that protects farmers, encourages investment, and strengthens confidence in the sector. The progress we have made shows the approach is working, but we must continue adapting as the threats evolve.”

Law enforcers have said that while the decline in agricutural crime has been encouraging, criminals in recent times have been increasingly turning their attention to cattle, particularly cows and bulls, amid rising beef prices and strong market demand.