The Editor, Sir:

The problem of the stealing of livestock has been a long, drawn-out affair.

A new and effective system is needed to track the produce that we purchase from our farmers. My suggestion is that the farmers should first get themselves registered with a special identification number. Livestock farmers should ensure that their animals are marked with their registration number.

Killing livestock

The killing of livestock should be done only after it has been inspected by a health official who would take note of the health of the animal and to whom it is registered. The killing of all livestock should be done at government abattoirs by licensed butchers.

A system such as this may already be in place and is lacking implementation. If we implement and enforce such a system, we will derive at least two direct benefits: the quality of the meat, and the ability to identify stolen products.

This is not an original idea as it is used in many countries today tracking produce from the farm to the consumer.

I am, etc.,

COLIN CAMERON

nilocr@hotmail.com

Nassau, Bahamas

Via Go-Jamaica