Just say no!

That's what landowners should say
to any Government offers to buy arable land for housing development.

And that advice comes from chief executive officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society, James Paul, who is also a Government back bencher.

Paul and other agriculturists contacted by SUNDAY SUN were responding to recently published notices which listed 17 parcels of land totalling 154 069 square metres as having been identified by Government for housing development.

Paul said: "The only way Government can do this is because there seems to be some thinking [on the part of landowners] that it's okay to take agricultural land and push it into housing. They do have a choice," he said.

"Barbadians have got to lend their own voices to land protection. It's not enough for a minister in Parliament
to say not to sell agricultural land. Barbadians themselves have got
to demonstrate to the Government
what is priority," Paul said.

He said there would be no threat of discrimination against landowners who objected to having their land converted out of crop production.

He suggested some proprietors were using that perceived threat as a scapegoat to sell.

"There [should be] no fear of victimisation. This is not a country where people are victimised . . . .
[landowners] have got to state what their priorities are. Hiding behind this victimisation fear doesn't solve
the problem," he said.

Nod from most

Minister of Housing Michael Lashley also gave this assurance. He said most of the owners gave written consent to having the land acquired but emphasised that if any had objections they were invited to discuss the matter with the ministry.

One farmer did just that. Michael Pile opposed Government's desire to take
4 530 square metres at Brighton Plantation, St George, because of the land's productivity potential.

The Government thereafter withdrew its offer.

Local farmer and social commentator Richard Hoad said while he sympathised with the need for more housing he denounced using arable land to provide it.

"I think it is very short-sighted, given the size of Barbados, to take agricultural land which is irreplaceable and turn it into housing," he said.

"Once it is lost, it is lost. It hurts me to see that Government is talking one way but seems to be doing something else. I think we need to shout and scream and holler and say we don't want to be in this situation," Hoad said.