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Privacy Notice

Introduction

The Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), as a Data Controller under the Jamaica Data Protection Act, 2020 (“the Act”), recognizes the importance of safeguarding your personal data. We are committed to respecting your privacy and complying with the provisions of the Act in how we collect, use, store, and share your information.

This Privacy Notice explains:

  • The types of personal data JACRA may collect and hold about you;
  • How and why JACRA may collect, use, store, and disclose your personal data; and
  • Your rights under the Act.

Personal Data Collected by JACRA

To carry out our statutory mandate, JACRA may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

Identification Data: Full name, date of birth, national identification number, passport/driver’s licence number, and Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN).

Contact Details: Email addresses, residential or business addresses, and telephone numbers.

Professional and Licensing Information: Occupation, exporter/importer status, licensing and registration details related to cocoa, coffee, coconut, and spice operations.

Financial Information: Bank details, payment records, TRN, tax reference information, and transaction data.

Property and Commodity Data: Ownership or leasehold information, farm location, production capacity, commodity types, and volumes.

Compliance and Inspection Records: Regulatory history, inspection results, and enforcement actions.

Purpose of Processing Personal Data

JACRA collects and processes your personal data to perform its statutory and administrative functions, including:

  • Licensing and Registration: Evaluating and processing applications for licences, permits, and registrations under the JACRA Act.
  • Monitoring and Compliance: Conducting audits, site visits, and inspections to monitor compliance across the regulated commodities.
  • Market Regulation and Research: Analyzing trends, informing national policy, and producing statistical reports.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Communicating information about programmes, training, regulatory updates, and industry developments.
  • Public Health and Safety: Enforcing quality control, food safety, and environmental standards.
  • Employment and Administration: Managing recruitment, staff records, and internal operations.

Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

JACRA processes personal data under the following legal bases:

  • Legal Obligation: Where processing is required by the JACRA Act or other legislation governing agricultural commodities.
  • Public Task / Public Interest: Where processing supports national development, public safety, or regulatory oversight in the public interest.
  • Consent: Where consent is required for specific purposes. However, most of JACRA’s processing is statutory in nature, and therefore consent will rarely apply.
  • Legitimate Interests: Where necessary for efficient service delivery, provided such processing does not override your fundamental rights and freedoms.

Legal Requirement to Provide Personal Data

Certain personal data must be provided under the JACRA Act and related legislation. Failure to provide required information may result in:

  • Inability to process applications for licences or permits;
  • Ineligibility to operate within the regulated industry;
  • Restricted access to support services or certification; or
  • Enforcement actions in accordance with the law.

How We Collect Personal Data

JACRA collects personal data directly from you through:

  • Application forms and declarations (in-person or online);
  • Correspondence, meetings, inspections, and training sessions; and
  • Digital submissions via our website or online portals.

We may also receive information from:

  • Other government ministries, departments, and agencies;
  • Statutory bodies and enforcement authorities;
  • Authorized representatives acting on your behalf; and
  • Legal disclosures required by court orders or legislation.

Disclosure of Personal Data

JACRA may disclose personal data to third parties only in accordance with the Act, including:

  • Government ministries, departments, and agencies;
  • Law enforcement and the Office of the Information Commissioner;
  • Auditors, consultants, and service providers under confidentiality obligations; and
  • International or regional regulatory bodies, only where legally permitted.

JACRA does not sell personal data or use it for marketing purposes. Where cross-border transfers occur, JACRA ensures that appropriate safeguards and legal protections are in place to protect your data.

Storage and Security

JACRA implements administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Access to personal data is restricted to authorized staff on a need-to-know basis, and all personnel and contractors are bound by confidentiality agreements and security protocols.

Data Retention and Destruction

JACRA retains personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined or as required by law. Retention and disposal practices follow the Government of Jamaica Records and Archives Retention and Disposal Schedules. When data is no longer needed, it is securely destroyed, anonymized, or archived in accordance with statutory requirements.

Your Rights Under the Data Protection Act

You have the following rights under the Act (subject to legal exceptions):

  • Right of Access – Request access to your personal data and information about its processing.
  • Right to Rectification – Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Right to Prevent Processing – Request restriction or cessation of processing in certain cases.
  • Right to Not Be Subject to Automated Decisions – Object to decisions made solely on automated processing.
  • Right to Withdraw Consent – Withdraw consent where applicable.
  • Right to Data Portability – Request transfer of your data in a usable format.

Requests may be made by email or post, and JACRA will acknowledge your request within 30days, in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Contact Us

For any queries, data access requests, or complaints regarding this Privacy Notice, please contact:

Data Protection Officer
Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA)
1 Willie Henry Drive, Kingston 13
Phone: 876-552-4595
Email: dpo@jacra.org

If you are dissatisfied with JACRA’s response, you may contact the Office of the Information Commissioner.

Updates to This Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice is reviewed periodically to reflect legal or operational changes. Updates will be published on JACRA’s website or communicated directly where appropriate.

Last updated: October 2025