OPINION: Haven't our farmers suffered enough?

Suddenly, farmers have a new problem to contend with; the rise of animal activism.

100 Animal Liberationists walked into a Feedlot & Dairy at Millmerran. Picture: Contributed

OUR agricultural sector is the backbone of this country.

Australia farmers have fed and clothed us for hundreds of years against every hurdle that the harsh Australia climate could throw at them.

But suddenly, farmers have a new problem to contend with; the rise of animal activism. Sure, everyone has a right to their opinion and their lifestyle choices but this is about more than choice. This is about breaking the law.

Anyone who has had to fill out biosecurity paperwork knows it isn't as simple as putting up a gate sign. There are the declarations, manuals, biosecurity planning and record keeping.　

Biosecurity laws were set in place to protect a property from the entry and spread of pests and diseases, protecting not only the farmer, but also the livestock.

So, it is no surprise that the protest on a farming family in Millmerran on Saturday has left farmers across this nation with more questions than answers.

What sort of world are we living in when a mob of more than 100 people can storm a private property to try to 'make a point' and not be charged with an offence?

This maybe a business address, but more times than not, farmers and their families reside on these properties and as such the entire family, including children, plays witness to these targeted attacks.　

To put it simply, these people were trespassing.

They did not follow the laws of our country, they did not follow biosecurity laws by making an appointment to visit the farm.

They entered unlawfully.

Their white painters overalls did nothing to protect the farmer, his livestock or his livelihood from pests and diseases.

They ranted about animal cruelty and the stress these cattle were under yet, as they made their way down the lanes, their 'mass' presence and their group chanting put an unbelievable amount of stress on the animals they were claiming to protect.

One activist went so far as to claim that they don't want farmers out of work, they just wanted them to change what they are farming.

This is madness, these people believe they have the right to tell us what we can and cannot farm on our land.

Recently an activist in Victoria was given a $1 fine for stealing a goat from a farm and pulling out its identifying ear tag.　 What an absolute slap in the face to any person who has chosen to farm their land.　

Since when has it been acceptable to hold our farming community to ransom, while we let these activists show such contempt and ridicule for our laws?

At what point do we say enough is enough?

These events, and many more like them are, very simply, an act of agri-terrorism.

It is time our government stood up and stopped hiding behind the hallowed halls where they are supposed to pass laws to protect us.

Stop shifting the blame between different levels of government. Stop writing letters.　

Stand up, make a decision and pass a law that must be upheld. Make these activists accountable.

Our farmers have been to hell and back throughout this drought and shouldn't now have to suffer these fools. It is time we all rallied to their defence. #ProtectOurFarmers