Rohee assures farmers that cattle rustling is being addressed

Oct 21, 2010 News 0

Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee has assured livestock farmers on the West Coast of Berbice that everything is being done to reduce cattle rustling in the area.
The assurance was given during a meeting the Minister had with the farmers at the Bush Lot Secondary School on Saturday to discuss issues of rustling and branding of animals. During the meeting, the farmers asked for the establishment of an abattoir and were assured by Livestock Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Dane Hartley that one would be built soon.
The farmers complained that the rustlers would sell their animals to some butchers who would not inform the police before slaughtering them.
They are of the view that if the animals are taken to an abattoir the issue of cattle rustling would be reduced.
Also present at the meeting were Christopher Griffith; Senior Superintendent/Assistant Commander, ‘B’ Division and Stephen Mansell; Deputy Superintendent/Officer-in-Charge of the West Berbice district as well as Regional Chairman; Harrinarine Baldeo.
Minister Rohee told the gathering that also included a few butchers, that according to the law, animals can only be slaughtered 24 hours after notices have been issued by the police.
The police and the Sanitary Inspectors also have to verify the brand and examine the meat respectively. The skin also has to remain at the abattoirs for 48 hours.
The Minister further warned the farmers to take proper care of their animals to prevent them from roaming the roadways and other public places.
He stated that stray-catchers who would be dressed in uniforms would soon get down to work.
Systems have also been put in place, he said for the stray-catchers to have police protection in case of attack from the owners.
The stray-catchers fee has been increased from $1,000 to $5,000 while the farmers would have to pay $10,000 for each animal before it is released from the pounds at the police stations.