"Praedical larceny suggests simple crimes, but the pain and hardship that it causes, and perhaps, the encouragement from the limited enforcement that it offers to deviants could lead to other major crimes," the Minister argued.

He was addressing members of the police force during a sensitisation seminar on praedial larceny, held on December 13, at the Police Officers Club on Hope Road, Kingston.

continued partnership

Dr Tufton commended the cops for their continued partnership with the Ministry in combating the problem, further noting that the prevention of praedial larceny will take a collaborated and organised effort from all stakeholders.

"There needs to be a holistic approach. It's not just about farmers, or my Ministry; it's about a range of systems and processes that must be put in place," he said. "Many of those (systems) are already in place, so what we need to do is just to emphasise the problem and sensitise and ensure that we can work together to champion this cause going forward," he added.

Minister Tufton also told the members that the implications of the losses often associated with praedial larceny are quite damaging, not only to the sector, but to the lives of many, who depend on the industry for their survival. "It also adds to the final prices that consumers pay for their respective goods. In effect therefore, praedial larceny contributes to the inefficiency of the farming cycle," he pointed out.

He noted that theft could affect health, as often produce or livestock are stolen with no knowledge of the chemicals that might have been applied, which may make them dangerous for consumption at that point in time.