The State Government introduced the Livestock Management Amendment – Animal Activism – Bill 2021 to address the impact of trespass on Victorian farms. The bill will also recognise biosecurity risks that breaches from animal activities could pose.
Under the legislation, people who fail to comply will face penalties among the heaviest in Australia, with on-the-spot fines of $1272 for an individual or $8178 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 offences. 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’.
A series of events involving animal-rights activists, including the intimidation of farmers, theft of livestock and disruption to business led to the legislation.
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.
These new measures are part of the government’s response to the Inquiry into the Impact of Animal Rights Activism on Victorian Agriculture. A report to State Parliament last year attracted government support for 13 of 15 recommendations.
The government consulted peak industry bodies which represented farmers and agribusinesses, as well as animal-welfare organisations during development of legislative framework.
The new arrangements will come into effect in 2022.
The entire December 8, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
