THE Victorian Government has recently enacted new legislation that will protect farmers and agricultural businesses from biosecurity risks. The new legislation to be introduced to Parliament last week aimed to deter trespassing on farms in the name of animal activism.
The Livestock Management Amendment (Animal Activism) Bill 2021 will address the serious impacts of trespass on Victorian farms and recognises the significant biosecurity risks that breaches from animal activists can pose.
Those who fail to comply will face penalties among the heaviest in Australia, with on-the-spot fines of $1,272 for an individual or $8,178 for an organisation.
Further penalties of up to $10,904 for an individual and up to $54,522 for an organisation could apply for more serious offending.
The proposed legislation seeks to reduce biosecurity risks and the spread of diseases on Victorian farms deter people from trespassing on farms with the introduction of new offences better enable prosecutions of trespassers and allow for the issuing of infringement notices.
Victorian farmers have been impacted by a series of events involving animal rights activists intimidating farmers, stealing livestock and disrupting businesses.
Farmers will soon be able to implement biosecurity management plans (BMPs) which can include measures such as requiring consent from farmers before entering a property covered by a BMP.
President of the Victorian Farmers Federation, Emma Germano said, “These on-the-spot fines are very overdue but will be very welcome. It’s time animal activists faced proper penalties for trespassing on people’s farms and homes.
“We hope this will see the end of token $1 fines for farm invasions that we have seen in the past.”
These new measures are part of the Government’s response to the Inquiry into the Impact of Animal Rights Activism on Victorian Agriculture, which delivered its report to Parliament last year.
