Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

A policeman stands guard over the carcass of a bull that was stolen, butchered and was on route to be sold when the Savanna-la-Mar police in Westmoreland intercepted the Toyota Caldina motor car. The driver, Troy Williams, 28, otherwise called Bomb Rush, was arrested and charged with larceny of cattle. He is set to appear in court today. The police are searching for a passenger of the car, known only as Boom Ball, who fled the scene. - photo by Dalton Laing

President of the Jamaica Pig Farmers' Association, Annabel Williams, believes praedial larceny has contributed to the country's spiralling food bill, as thousands of dollars spent on security is being passed on to consumers.

Williams told The Gleaner this week that farmers are spending money to secure their crops and animals in an effort to save their investments.

This cost, she said, which may run into hundreds of thousands of dollars each month is factored into the overall expense of manufacturing.

"Some 10 per cent of our cost is spent on security," said Williams.

"To break even, that ongoing cost is pushed into all costs and passed on to consumers," she added.

Security measures

Money is spent on security measures such as contracting a security company, perimeter fencing and feed for security dogs.

"It's an enormous investment that could be spent on farming and improving the farm," said Williams, who supplies pork to a local food processor.

Mark Campbell, president of the Jamaica Egg Farmers' Association, said he spends at least $75,000 each month to secure his farm of 20,000 chickens.

Campbell's security system comprises 20 guard dogs, including German Shepherds and Rottweilers.

"The money spent on security to prevent thieves from coming on our properties is significant," said Campbell.

The issue of praedial larceny and measures to avert it are repeatedly discussed at the meetings of the Jamaica Greenhouse Growers' Association.

President Lenworth Blake said, unfortunately security costs have had to be passed on to consumers.

"If you don't, then you think you are making money and you are not," Blake said.

Other factors, such as increasing costs on the world market, have skyrocketed the price of food items such as flour and rice on the local market.

The cost of chicken meat has jumped by seven per cent since January, while the price of flour and rice has increased by 30 per cent since April.

shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com