THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES today enacted law instituting harsher penalties for offenders of praedial larceny, with specific emphasis in giving soursop production in Grenada greater protection.
This has been prompted owing to the plethora of reports concerning the stealing of soursop and the need to protect Grenada’s export market in this regard.
Amendments were made to the principal bit of Legislation dealing with the issue, the Praedial Larceny Amendment Bill.
It was presented by Agriculture Minister, Yoland Bain-Horsford, who noted the need to specifically protect the crop.
She spoke of the implementation of the Praedial Larceny Management Unit and the strengthening of the Praedial Larceny Committee, as well as and the need for licensing.
The Agriculture Minister made the point that Soursop is today considered Grenada’s “green gold” and based on the high rating it has it must be protected.
In giving effect to the stipulations under law whereby soursop production can obtain the necessary protection, Minister Bain-Horsford made an appeal for more manpower and strengthening the monitoring process, surrounding rural constables and the praedial larceny task force.
The Bill was ably supported with Members of the Lower House noting their experiences with the issue of praedial larceny.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, says in the fight to protect the soursop market the population must be up to the task to ably assist.
