Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, delivers the keynote address at the 128th Annual General Meeting of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS)held at the Denbigh Showgrounds in Clarendon on Wednesday, July 8.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is rolling out a series of measures to address the growing backlog in cattle tagging, including expanding its tagging service, increasing the supply of identification tags, recruiting community assistants and introducing a temporary arrangement to facilitate the transport of eligible animals for slaughter.
Speaking at the 128th General Meeting of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) at the Denbigh Showgrounds in Clarendon on Wednesday (July 8), Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, said the initiatives are intended to meet the surge in demand for cattle tagging while ensuring legitimate farmers can continue their operations.
As part of the effort, six new animal technicians will join the Veterinary Services Division (VSD) over the next four weeks to strengthen tagging operations.
"These animal technicians will be deployed strategically to parishes where we are experiencing the greatest challenges," Minister Green said.
He also assured farmers that the ministry has taken steps to maintain an adequate supply of cattle tags.
"We have an order for an additional 130,000 tags that will arrive by the first week in August. That is in addition to the 20,000 tags we received about two weeks ago, so tags won't be the issue," he said.
Minister Green noted that delays in tagging often result from a shortage of manpower to safely restrain animals rather than a lack of technical staff or identification tags. To address this challenge, the ministry will recruit 100 community assistants to help farmers restrain animals during the tagging process.
Additionally, the minister announced that, during July and August, the ministry will implement a temporary arrangement to allow bona fide farmers who have experienced difficulties getting their animals tagged to transport those animals for slaughter. The measure is intended to reduce the backlog while ensuring legitimate farmers and butchers can continue their business.
"The Agricultural Protection Branch is working with RADA to develop the protocol for this measure. It will require that you notify the police and that you have your receipts," Minister Green explained.
He also urged farmers not to wait until they are ready to sell an animal before arranging for it to be tagged.
"The animals can be tagged from two weeks after birth," he pointed out.
Minister Green further noted that the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS), coupled with stronger enforcement, has made it increasingly difficult for criminals to profit from livestock theft.
"Now that we have a police force that is on the road looking out for those who transport animals without a tag, the demand for the tagging of animals has increased tremendously," he said.
"You can't butcher, you can't transport, you can't sell unless you have your tag," the minister added.
Minister Green emphasised that strengthening animal traceability remains central to the ministry's strategy to combat agricultural theft and protect the livelihoods of Jamaica's farmers.
