Do iguana cullers carry liability protection?

| 17/12/2018

Can you find out if those who have registered to cull the green iguanas have liability insurance? No one I know doing this will talk about that.


Ask Auntie, CNS Local Life, Caymanian statusAuntie’s answer: The issue is a bit complicated and the answer not that straightforward. I received an explanation from the Department of Environment (DoE), which is in charge of the culling exercise, and will try to keep it as simple as possible.

First, it is helpful to understand how the culling workforce is structured. The registered cullers fall into two groups, a DoE official explained. One group comprises a few local companies, “some of whom are likely to have liability insurance, and who have staff they pay”.

However, the “vast majority” of cullers fall into the second group, which is composed of individuals who have registered and are performing the job themselves or arranging for others to cull for them, and then trading in the iguanas for payment.

So, back to your question, the official pointed out, “Few, if any, of these individuals will hold liability insurance policies – any more than a fisherman selling you their catch, for example, would be expected to hold liability insurance.”

Further complicating the issue is the fact that much of the culling is not being done by those who are registered, so “there is a large informal workforce out there that are catching iguanas and selling them to registered cullers, who then cash them in for a small profit margin at the landfill”.

These kind of arrangements make it pretty much impossible to determine who has liability insurance, the official said, adding that it was “reasonable to assume that most don’t”.

However, at the top of the culling pyramid is the cull manager, Cornwall Consulting, which is “contractually obliged to hold liability insurance”, though the “degree to which that covers the cullers is limited under the terms of the agreements between the cullers and the cull manager”.

Cornwall pays the cullers and runs the landfill reception operation. The company has signed agreements with all the registered cullers and the latter are bound by that agreement — and a parallel one with the DoE. Among the terms of the agreement are using acceptable culling techniques and obtaining permission to enter private property. In addition, the cullers are required to follow safe firearms practices as specified by their gun licences if they are using air rifles.

Registered cullers are also responsible for ensuring that anyone who works with them observe the same terms, the official explained, adding, “That is about as watertight as we can make it without limiting the size and effectiveness of the informal workforce, and the cull manager has a role in watching out for violations.”

Send questions to auntie@caymannewsservice.com

Recent answers from Auntie

Stamp duty on bank transactions

Stamp duty on bank transactions

On what basis does government charge 25 cents stamp duty on a transfer from a customer’s savings account to his checking account? This is just an internal transfer. Auntie’s answer: The reason seems to be “because they can” as a way to bring in money to the government, under the Stamp Duty Law (2013 Revision). […]

Trees damaging neighbour’s fence

Trees damaging neighbour’s fence

I was wondering what to do about a neighbour’s trees encroaching on our fence. They are getting huge — about 30 feet high — and the trunks are starting to bend the fence, and roots are lifting up under the fence. These types of trees grow very large and tall fast, to around 50 feet tall […]

Can expat kids be kept out of school?

Can expat kids be kept out of school?

Does the government keep track of children attending school on island? Cayman is very transient. Is it possible to move to the island with my family and not enroll my children in school? How is that monitored, aside from nosy neighbours? However, if ever questioned, the person could lie and say they were homeschooling. Can […]

The tale of the missing Gimistory

The tale of the missing Gimistory

Why has Gimistory been cancelled for two years in a row? I really miss it! Auntie’s answer: Before I get into

Tags: , ,

Category: Ask Auntie, Environmental Questions

Comments (11)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Ron Ebanks says:

    If any thing happens that you would have sue , you would only be able to sue the little fish but not the big fish . But you should let the culler on your property with specific documented instructions for them to wipe the pest out . If you don’t that would be helping government to waste more of your Tax dollars..

  2. Anonymous says:

    Or they take your eye out with an air rifle pellet when you step out of your porch innocently one morning….seems a valid question to me given he methods being used.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Liability insurance for what purpose? In case they fall out of a tree or hurt themselves some other way? If I let them onto my property then I accept any damages simply for getting rid of the pests.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Just leave them alone, they are doing a good job and making a little cash. This isn’t the USA where everyone files law suites against each other. This is a small island dealing with a big problem in a simple and effective way.

  5. Anonymous says:

    In other words it seems some of the iguana callers are carrying on a Trade or Business without being licensed. If so they may be committing offenses under the Trade and Business licensing Law as well as under legislation governing pensions and health insurance. Have I got this right? Is the government complicit in the commission of various offenses under Cayman laws? Who do we report them to?

    • Anonymous says:

      No you old fart, stop looking to be a snitch at every opportunity.

      If I buy 10 conchs for $35 from John and then resell them for $40 to Bobo, I don’t need to legally hire John and give him benefits just for that transaction. Likewise for Bobo and I.

      • Anonymous says:

        That is because John is a Caymanian fisherman selling his catch, and is expressly exempted from the Trade and Business Licensing Law. Whether you and Bobo need a license depends on what you propose to do with the conchs. Just make sure you are not in possession of too many conchs from Cayman waters.

  6. Anonymous says:

    I love sh!it stirrers like this!
    You must live in one of the neighborhoods that have signs up not allowing culling.
    It’s always something, eh! LOL

  7. Anonymous says:

    A very interesting arrangement.