MAR 13

An opposition Senator in Grenada is calling for the issuing of firearms to farmers in the country.

The call was made by the newly appointed Farmers Representative in the Senate Keith Clouden. He told a sitting of the Upper House recently that guns should be given to farmers so that they can protect themselves when they go to their fields.

Senator Clouden complained about the serious impact Praedial Larceny is having on the farming community in the country. The Farmers Representative pointed out that thousands of dollars are lost each year by farmers as a result of theft of their crops.

Clouden, a full fledged farmer lamented that several of his colleagues have lost their lives in their own lands over the years because of their contact with thieves.

The Senator pointed out that when these people go the property of farmers they are properly armed and so farmers must also arm themselves as a means of protection. During the presentation of the 2004 Budget last month, Finance Minister Anthony Boatswain announced several new measures government plan on introducing this year to deal with Praedial Larceny.

He said that government considers the ongoing practice as a major crime against the farmers and the nation. Boatswain disclosed that a major counter- offensive will be launched against what he described as a scourge facing the farming community.

The Finance Minister pointed out that Ministry of Agriculture will intensify and complete the registration of farmers. He promised that a new Praedial Larceny bill will be introduced in Parliament by June of this year which provides for hefty fines and penalties for persons caught and convicted of this crime.

According to Boatswain the law will also allow for a name and shame policy where by the persons convicted will have their names and photographs published in addition to the imposition of fines, penalties and prison sentences.

The Minister disclosed that vendors doing business with these thieves will also be prosecuted. To ensure the effective enforcement of the new law, the sum of $75.000 has been allocated in the Budget to address the issue.

These funds will be used to establish a mobile unit under the auspices of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF).
Other features include a telephone hot line through which the community can provide information to this Unit.