KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC):

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) has backed plans by the Ministry of Agriculture to resuscitate the cattle industry.

Norman Grant, JAS president, said the plans announced in parliament last week by Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke, should help to breathe new life into both the beef and dairy sectors.

He downplayed suggestions that the efforts to reposition the beef industry will be stifled by praedial thieves who have been preying on the livestock sector. Senator Grant said the security forces have been reaping success in their clampdown on cattle thieves.

Last week Mr. Clarke announced the implementation of a heifer rescue programme and the revamping of the artificial insemination programme to make it more accessible to farmers and to accelerate breeding.

Mr. Clarke, who was speaking during the annual budget debate, also disclosed that the Ministry, in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organisation, would be undertaking a market study of Jamaican beef and dairy genetics.