La Presse – Livestock and Agricultural Equipment Theft Is No Longer a Passing Incident
Theft of livestock and farm equipment is no longer a fleeting “human‑interest” story; it is becoming an increasingly dangerous phenomenon.
The livestock sector—an essential socio‑economic activity for the 23,000 breeders who own 800,000 sheep, 58,700 cattle, 34,000 goats and 1,000 camelids—is now under serious threat. For several years, the rise in livestock and agricultural‑equipment theft has been unmistakable.
Why Farmers Are Giving Up
Many breeders have become desperate and have sold off their herds because they feel powerless against criminals who often use rented vehicles with the rear seats removed to avoid drawing attention.
The criminal operation is divided into three roles:
- The thieves who steal the animals and equipment.
- The look‑outs and transporters who monitor the sites and move the loot.
- The meat‑launderers who sell the carcasses to clandestine butchers and restaurants.
The Scale of the Problem
- In the Kairouan governorate alone, 2023 saw the theft of 6,000 sheep and cattle, harming 500 breeders—including widows, septuagenarians living in isolated villages, and young farmers who support entire families.
- Complaints to the National Guard rise daily. A few organized gangs have been caught with their loot, which was promptly returned to the owners.
Despite these arrests, the scourge persists, alarming all breeders, even small‑scale shepherds whose ancestral way of life is at risk of disappearing.
Testimonies
A 76‑Year‑Old Farmer’s Bitter Experience
Fed up with the daily surge of thefts, a 76‑year‑old breeder decided to sell the remainder of his herd at the Kairouan livestock market. Hours later, while shopping in a mall, he discovered that many of the banknotes he received were counterfeit.
Being illiterate and trusting the fraudulent buyers—whom he never asked for identification—he was scammed, especially since the sale took place early in the morning.
Ali Hlaïli’s Nightmare in Khit El Oued (Haffouz Delegation)
“At dawn on October 25, thieves smashed our front door, locked my wife, children and me in a room with a padlock, and stole my farming equipment worth 7,000 dinars plus two calves. The worst part is that when a breeder tries to defend his property and manages to neutralize the criminals, he ends up behind bars…”
Community Action
- On February 17, residents of several villages in the Nasrallah delegation staged a sit‑in demanding better protection for their livestock. Their demands included more police patrols and additional vehicles for National Guard agents.
- Earlier, on February 7, security forces in Menzel Mhiri, Bouhajla, and Nasrallah seized two vans loaded with stolen livestock and arrested the two brigands.
Bottom Line
Livestock theft in Tunisia is evolving from isolated incidents to a systemic, organized crime that threatens the livelihoods of thousands of breeders. Immediate action—enhanced security patrols, better equipment for law‑enforcement, and community awareness—remains essential to safeguard the sector and preserve a centuries‑old way of life.
