Commissioner: Adhere to proper procedure

Registered farmers here have been reminded that they should adhere to the proper procedures when selling produce or livestock.{{more}}

Commissioner of Police Keith Miller sounded the appeal over the weekend, when it was speculated that livestock intended to be exported to Grenada may have been stolen.

Investigations carried out by the police and the Ministry of Agriculture subsequently cleared the animals for export.

“What happened here today, we should not slight it,” said Miller, who, on Sunday, was at the Kingstown Port, where the MV Mary C was docked, loaded with some of the livestock for export.

“There seems to be a market for the movement of animals out of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I want farmers to be cautious and I hope that persons who are known farmers out there, they themselves are not buying stolen animals from thieves,” Miller said.

He said the police have the responsibility to ensure that the laws governing the theft of agricultural produce and livestock are enforced.

“So it means that we as policemen have to become more vigilant to ensure that the Act (Praedial larceny) itself is enforced.

“We will continue to carry out our stop and searches and we want farmers to be comfortable to know that we will continue to do that and we want to ask them to bring forward whatever information they have,” the Commissioner added.

Acting deputy chief agricultural officer Lesley Grant, who was also present at the Port on Sunday, showed members of the media a sample of a receipt book that all registered farmers should use when selling their produce or livestock.

The left corner of the receipt identifies the name, registration number and address of the farmer. The right side showcases information concerning the value, amount and description of the produce or livestock that is being sold and to whom.

Grant explained that the receipt book serves as proof of any transaction done between a farmer and buyer in the event that there are any discrepancies. (AA)