Falmouth Mayor Pushes for Revival of Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit in Trelawny

The Mayor of Falmouth, Colin Gager, is pressing for a restructuring of the Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit, arguing that the body has fallen dormant across the parish of Trelawny.

Delivering remarks at the Hague Agricultural Show on Ash Wednesday, the mayor publicly questioned the current standing of the unit. "Today (Ash Wednesday) I ask a very personal and pertinent question, and for sure I would like to know. What has happened to the Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit which at one point was very active and effective in the parish of Trelawny?" he asked.

Gager pushed for full enforcement of the existing legislation, saying: "I use this medium to call for the active enforcement of the Praedial Larceny Prevention Act to ensure that the livelihood of our farmers is safeguarded."

The mayor also wants agricultural wardens given the authority to act. "I am calling for the institution and empowering of our agricultural wardens who, under the Praedial Larceny Prevention Act, serve to detect the commission of any offence, and to apprehend or summon before a justice (of the peace), persons found committing any such offences," he said.

While praising local farmers for bringing crops and livestock to market despite difficult circumstances, Gager acknowledged that produce theft remains a serious burden on the sector. "We continue to see the best of our produce being displayed on all levels," he noted. "But even as I commend the dedication and tenacity of our farmers, I cannot appear naïve to the struggles and plights with which they are ever so often confronted."

Speaking from his own experience in agriculture, the mayor said theft remains a personal concern. "As a farmer myself, I am very much concerned about the levels of theft that our farmers grapple with. Having toiled and laboured so hard, unscrupulous men and women come in like thieves in the night and steal from our crops and livestock," he said.

He closed with an appeal for farmers to stay alert and adopt resilient practices. "Our famers deserve to enjoy the benefits of the fruits of their labour. I also encourage our farmers to be vigilant, to be wise, and also to exercise climate-smart farming practices to mitigate against losses – man-made or otherwise."