Police Warn Livestock Sellers: No Ear Tag, No Sale

Livestock sellers, especially those dealing in cattle, are being warned to comply with the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) or face prosecution. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says the system, which uses ear tags and animal passports, is essential for stamping out praedial larceny and ensuring stolen animals can be traced back to their rightful owners.

Source: Folio3 Agtech

Inspector Eugene Robinson of the JCF’s Area 3 Agricultural Protection Branch explained that NAITS records vital details such as an animal’s identity, ownership, location, and movement history. This not only helps recover stolen livestock but also makes it illegal to buy, sell, or slaughter any cattle without proper tagging. “Where we come across any farmer or person transporting animals without tags and passports, we take steps to prosecute,” Robinson warned during a recent Safety and Security Live Forum hosted by Serenity Resource Connector.

While some farmers still rely on traditional methods like branding or distinctive scars to identify their animals, Robinson noted these are often unreliable and make recovery nearly impossible. He urged the use of modern, foolproof tagging to give police and farmers a fighting chance against livestock theft.

The Agricultural Protection Branch continues to blend community partnerships with technology, including drone surveillance, to curb rural crime. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is tightening laws, increasing patrols, and seizing vehicles linked to agricultural theft — all part of a nationwide push to protect farmers’ livelihoods.