Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has voiced disappointment over the way in which the Guyana Police Force has been handling the issuing of firearm licences to farmers who have been complaining bitterly about their problems with wild animals.
The Government Information Agency (GINA) said Persaud’s comments were made last Saturday while addressing farmers and residents of Kwakwani, Region Ten, Upper Demerara River, where the issue was again raised.
Several farmers said then that applications have been written and sent to the relevant authorities since 2000 and to date there has been no response.
GINA said that Persaud while giving a commitment to look into the matter, pointed out that farmers, Amerindians and the business community are priorities set by the administration for the issuing of firearm licences.
He stated that Cabinet will be looking to improve the process under which this is done and as such, there will now be a different procedure. “In fact the Minister himself has expressed concerns about the delay and as such, there will be a different way under which this will be dealt with but I am frustrated as you are about the delay,” he added.
Persaud cautioned that while efforts will be made to improve services since farmers have a right to protect themselves and crops, licences will not be issued to any and everyone.
GINA added that at the level of the Ministry, representatives of the Guyana Police Force, the legal authorities, the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Local Government authorities have been brought together to discuss the issue of wild animals.
