Seprod reports mounting loss from stray cattle destroying its pastures; police pursuing multi-stakeholder solution

Seprod Limited is reporting mounting losses as cattle belonging to small farmers continue to stray onto its properties in St. Thomas, destroying valuable pasture grass used to feed its dairy herd.

The issue was discussed at a stakeholder meeting convened by the company in Duckensfield, St. Thomas, involving cattle farmers, the police, RADA, the Veterinary Services Division and other agencies.

Seprod says establishing pasture grass is costly, and when the grass is destroyed, the company is forced to purchase alternative feed, while milk production declines.

Senior Superintendent Oral Pascoe, Commander of the Agriculture Protection Branch, says the problem extends beyond St. Thomas, pointing to Jamaica's long history of landless farmers grazing cattle on former sugar lands now owned by large companies.

He says the police are seeking to educate both parties about their rights and responsibilities, while encouraging cooperation and community-based solutions.

SSP Pascoe told Radio Jamaica News that it was decided that the best approach to the problem was to bring all relevant stakeholders together.

Having assembled these stakeholders, he said a range of possible solutions were discussed, “and not surprisingly, the solutions actually came from the farmers on the ground.”

He said Seprod has “committed to working with some of the proposals, and we're here to facilitate the process.”

“We could have taken an approach of enforcement, which is what we do, but we find that… when we get people together, under the right conditions, we can find solutions that will help the agricultural sector,” he added.

He did not provide details of the solution being pursued.