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Stronger Together: JCF, RADA & Vet Services on Animal Tagging and Traceability

Stronger Together: JCF, RADA & Vet Services on Animal Tagging and Traceability Blog cover image

When farmers lose livestock, they lose more than just animals; they also lose income, peace of mind, and often their sense of security. That’s why the July edition of the SRC Community Safety and Security Live Forum focused on animal tagging and traceability, highlighting how collaboration among the JCF, RADA, and the Veterinary Services Division is strengthening agricultural security.


▶️ Watch the full replay here: https://youtube.com/live/Azzlz1wAG30


Held in partnership with JCF Area 3 Police and proudly sponsored by National Self-Serve Wholesale in May Pen, this forum introduced the work of the newly launched Agricultural Protection Branch and shared tools and solutions that are now available to Jamaican farmers.


Strengthening Animal Tagging and Traceability Through Collaboration


From livestock passports and enforcement to mobile apps and farmer registration, the forum showed how inter-agency partnerships are making traceability more accessible and effective across communities.


Meet the Experts

  • Inspector Eugene Robinson, Acting Deputy Superintendent, JCF Area 3 Agricultural Protection Branch

  • Dr. Ikolyn Ricketts-Gayle, Senior Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Services Division (NAITS Unit), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

  • Hartnell Campbell, Acting ICT Manager, RADA


Key Issues Covered:

  • The rising threats faced by livestock farmers, including theft, armed robbery, and illegal slaughter

  • How the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) works

  • The importance of branding and animal passports for verification and law enforcement

  • Why farmer registration through RADA is a vital first step in livestock protection

  • How tools like the RADA Mobile App and RADA Connect are bringing services to rural areas

  • Collaboration across key agencies: JCF, RADA, Veterinary Services, Public Health Inspectors, and JAS


Why Animal Tagging and Traceability Matter

This is not just about compliance, it’s about protecting livelihoods and food systems. These systems are designed to:


  • Help law enforcement identify stolen animals

  • Support quick response to disease outbreaks

  • Prevent the sale of illegally sourced meat

  • Encourage proper recordkeeping by all farmers


What Farmers Should Know:

  • Tagging is free for first-time cattle. Each tagged animal is issued a unique passport.

  • Animals must be tagged and have passports to be legally transported or sold.

  • Passports are valid for the life of the animal, even if ownership changes.

  • Only tags with the Jamaican Coat of Arms are accepted under NAITS.

  • Births, deaths, and transfers must be reported to the Veterinary Services Division within 7 days.


Next Steps for Farmers:

Each expert shared one key action farmers can take this month:


  • Register with RADA and begin treating your farm as a business.

  • Tag your animals and request their official passports.

  • Improve farm security through fencing, lighting, or community vigilance.

  • Support each other, stay connected, share information, and report suspicious activity.


Get Support:

📍 Veterinary Services Division

  • WhatsApp: 876-648-5672

  • Western Office: 658-219-0493

  • Kingston Office: 876-927-0594 / 977-2489 / 977-2492

  • Email: naits@moa.gov.jm


📍 RADA


What’s Next:

Due to the overwhelming interest, Part Two of this discussion is already being planned. We’ll be diving deeper into how Public Health Inspectors and JAS help close the traceability loop, especially at butcheries and markets.


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Together, we’re building safer farms and stronger communities.

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