Praedial larceny is still a problem for farmers, ‘Serpent’ gripes, but Gov’t has provided no real assistance to deal with the issue

Algernon “Serpent” Watts says he is yet to see any meaningful solutions being put in place to deal with praedial larceny.

For years, farmers have been complaining about thieves raiding their holdings and making off with hundreds of dollars’ worth of produce and, sometimes, livestock.

Watts, the United Progressive Party (UPP) Candidate for St. George, is also a farmer, and says the sector has not gotten any worthwhile assistance to deal with this issue.

However, Watts says that Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who recently ventured into farming, has the latest technology on his holdings to protect against praedial larceny and to ensure he has quality crops.

Last week, a social-media post went into circulation, outlining a  number of improvements that Browne is promising farmers.  However, many say that – after seven years of waiting in vain – these plans are too little and too late.