By Val Matthias. Updated 9:17 a.m., Thursday, September 3, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), is considering the possibility of a specialised court or even evening sittings to speed up the prosecution and punishment of people accused of praedial larceny.
Agriculture Minister Israel Bruce says the proposal is part of a widening strategy to tackle the theft of crops and livestock, a problem which has long affected farmers across the country.
Speaking on BOOM FM on Tuesday, September 1, Mr Bruce said the Government wanted to ensure that cases involving praedial larceny were dealt with more quickly.
He said the current concern was that a person could commit an offence and then wait a year or even a year and a half before the matter came before the courts.
Mr Bruce said the Government would therefore examine ways of making the judicial process “swifter”.
Among the options he raised was the introduction of an evening or night court, although he did not announce that such a court had been approved or give a timetable for its introduction.
He also suggested the possibility of a specialised “farmers’ court”, which could deal specifically with cases involving theft from farmers.
Under such a system, Mr Bruce suggested that cases could be centralised at a particular location.
The Minister said magistrates and other judicial officers were already available, as the Government considered how such an arrangement might work.
The proposed court initiative is the latest measure being discussed as part of what the Government has described as a multi-pronged approach to praedial larceny.
Mr Bruce said thousands of surveillance cameras would be deployed in pilot areas to assist farmers.
He said the Government would not disclose the locations selected for the pilot programme.
According to the Minister, if the pilot proves effective, several thousand additional cameras could be imported for use by farmers across St Vincent and the Grenadines. The aim, he said, is to use technology to help push back against praedial larceny. The Government had previously announced plans to use modern technology and strengthen enforcement as part of its response to the theft of agricultural produce and livestock.
Earlier this year, Mr Bruce said the Government was exploring surveillance cameras and other technology to protect farms.
The possible introduction of a faster court process would add another element to a series of measures now being pursued by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Mr Bruce has previously spoken about reforming the farmers’ identification card system and introducing technology to improve the traceability of livestock and the establishment of a modern abattoir.
Mr Bruce has suggested that a properly regulated slaughter and processing system could make it more difficult for people to dispose of stolen livestock.
St Vincent and the Grenadines already has legislation aimed at preventing the theft and illegal sale of agricultural produce and livestock, through the Agricultural Produce and Livestock (Prevention of Theft) Act, 2007 provides for measures including the registration of farmers, the issuing of identification cards and sellers’ certificates, requirements for receipts and provisions governing the transportation of agricultural produce and livestock.
For farmers, the proposals could mean a combination of surveillance cameras, improved identification, livestock traceability, a modern abattoir and potentially a faster judicial process.
No details have yet been given on how such a court would operate, where it would sit, what offences it would handle, or when the Government might introduce the measure.
END
About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at valmatthias188@gmail.com
