( l - r ) Arscott, Clarke, Tufton

AN OPPOSITION member of parliament on Tuesday advised his colleagues not to laugh at the idea of using DNA technology as part of an effort to fight farm theft.

Noel Arscott, the parliamentary representative for South West Clarendon, was following up on a tame jab from Central Westmoreland MP Roger Clarke, who had suggested that Government could take its anti-farm theft project as far as to science labs.

"The DNA database is a useful tool to look at now because the mechanical process, just like any crime in Jamaica, is giving law enforcement problems," Arscott said.

Clarke had mockingly suggested to Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton that he may need to consider the use of DNA to stem the major problem of the plunder of crops and animals by thieves.

The subject of praedial larceny has elicited some colourful responses from parliamentarians in recent times. Tufton's junior minister, J.C. Hutchinson, proffered the idea of installing microchips in cattle.

"Di t'ief dem a get high-tech, so we a go get high-techer ... . We going to put chip in dem," Hutchinson told Parliament last year.

Animal passports

Recently, Tufton added another dimension to the subject when he announced that Government had earmarked $29 million for a programme geared towards providing animal passports.

On Tuesday, Clarke suggested to Tufton that he may need to go the DNA route. Responding to Clarke, Tufton said DNA should not be ruled out, because other countries have tried it with some success.

"We should not shy away from the technology, my friend," Tufton said to Clarke.

He added: "If it works, we should try it. That is not being looked at at this time."

But it was Arscott who had most to say on the topic.

"We need to definitely utilise the technology in terms of trying to find a solution. There are problems where witnesses are not coming forward because of the same threat of death.

"It is a real thing to look at. It is, no doubt, because praedial larceny has actually wiped out many farmers in my constituencies. Therefore, I would like to congratulate you on the move," Arscott said.

Meanwhile, Tufton has announced that civilians would get the power of arrest to catch thieves. He said there were plans to review the penalties for individuals who accept stolen goods, and that a mechanism would be set up to compensate affected farmers.

Another anti-theft proposal being contemplated by Government is the establishment of four large abattoirs and 100 community slaughterhouses across the island.

Tufton said that project would be supported by legislation requiring all commercial meat to pass through the processing centres.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com