A number of livestock and crop farmers who operate at Burke’s Estate said they will fight against a decision taken by the Development Control Authority (DCA) to force them off the land they have occupied for years, to reportedly make way for a housing project.
The farmers were given 28 days’ notice to vacate the land, which they said has caused them much distress and uncertainty.
A letter from the DCA accused them of breaching the Physical Planning Act by carrying out development of land without a permit.
President of the Layer Farmers Association, Emmanuel Peters, told Observer that the 12 farmers were now concerned about how this could impact their livelihoods and families.
He said the government wants to execute a housing development in the area.
“How can this area be developed for housing and we’re completely far away from the village (All Saints) and this is an agricultural zone?
“They [DCA] said that doesn’t matter, they are extending the village to come all the way right up to Burke’s and so now that they have completed their survey, they are giving the farmers notice.
“How can you evaluate 17 years of production and over 500 fruit trees that they are going to relocate?” Peters said.
This is the second plot of agricultural land being repurposed by the government in recent months to make way for a housing development.
A similar move at Dunbars Agricultural Station has seen fierce opposition from protestors including the United Progressive Party and others who claim the government is abandoning food security for housing.
Peters said that it was important for his members to stand their ground and not vacate the site.
“We are going to fight this from top to bottom and from left to right; we are going to fight 100 percent for them remaining in that particular area because it’s a strong agricultural area and if you move them out of Burke’s, which has been only agriculture in that area, where are you going to relocate them [and] are you going to [bear] the expense that comes in relocating as well?” Peters queried.
Observer reached out to the DCA for comment but was told officials were engaged in meetings.
Meanwhile, Peters questioned whether the government would compensate farmers who have been producing goods.
“This is a tragedy; this is food that is bearing right now and also farmers that are fully productive, producing eggs as well that you’re completely taking out and [they’re] not going to be compensated for the time that [they] will lose earnings,” he added.
