MP fights for farmer freedom

Ms Bath and Mr Gommans table the petition in State Parliament to "fix" farm trespass laws.

By Mitchell Clarke

Farmers are at risk of becoming the victim of trespass, one Nationals MPs argues, with the State Government yet to impose on-the-spot fines.

Nationals Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath brought the issue of illegal farm trespass and animal activism to state Parliament at the beginning on 2018, after a spate of vegan actions.

The Inquiry into the Impact of Animal Rights Activism on Victorian Agriculture recommended on-the-spot fines be implemented as a solution to stop “extreme animal activists” from breaking into farms, stealing livestock and damaging biosecurity.

But Ms Bath said farmers were still waiting for the change, six months after the government agreed to the recommendation.

“Farmers deserve to feel safe in their own homes, but Victoria’s weak farm trespass rules embolden extreme activists to break the law – instead of deterring them,” Ms Bath claimed.

“Victorian farmers were expecting to see the Andrews Labor Government implement on-the-spot fines with the same urgency as New South Wales, but frustratingly there has only been inaction.

“By contrast the NSW Liberal Nationals Government proactively took action to better protect farmers, it’s time the Victorian Government stepped up and got the job done.”

Ms Bath accused the State Government of continuing to “let down our farmers”.

“Daniel Andrews must decide if his government stands with the extreme animal activists who want to destroy livestock farming or deliver much needed support for Victorian farmers,” she said.

“The Andrews Government is fresh out of excuses – its new Agriculture Minister must ensure these reforms are immediately drafted and presented.”

Criticism has also come from the other side of the argument, with vegan activists accusing the State Government of prioritising a boost to consumer confidence in the industry, rather than “doing anything to actually address the underlying concerns of those customers”.

“They’ve supported minor improvements to animal welfare legislation, but have said nothing about the growing calls for the exemptions for commercially farmed animals to be removed from that legislation so that pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, cows, goats and sheep could be legally protected from cruelty in the same way as dogs and cats,” Chris Delforce, executive director of animal activism group Aussie Farms, said.

“We will continue to push for farm animals to be legally protected from cruelty, and for greater industry transparency so that consumers can make informed decisions about what they’re willing to support with their purchases.”