Animal activists an ‘immense’ biosecurity threat to Victorian agriculture, warn farmers

Farmers are calling for strict jail sentences and fines for animal activists, who they say pose an “immense” risk of contamination to Victoria’s agricultural industry by trespassing on their land.

Farmers are warning animal and vegan activists pose an “immense” biosecurity risk to Victoria’s agricultural industry and are calling for tough jail sentences and fines for people caught trespassing.

Dozens of farmers warned activists could contaminate produce in the 180 submissions made to the Victorian inquiry into animal activism.

One farmer said he feared militant protesters could target the 20,000 litres of milk his herd of 850 cows produces each day.

“We don’t need the reputation of our produce tarnished or our markets put at risk by the false assertions of radical minority groups, or their unlawful trespass threat to our biosecurity, he said.

Photos of animal activists stealing livestock have been posted to social media. Picture: Instagram

Pig and chicken farmers also shared similar concerns saying the risk of contamination was “immense”.

They also expressed anger about a court decision in March to fine 24-year-old activist Cara Garrett $1 for storming the Gippy Goat Cafe at Yarragon and stealing three goats and a lamb.

“If I walked into Harvey Norman, picked up a television and walked out, I guarantee you I would get more than a $1 fine,” wrote one commercial producer.

“If a person entered an animal activists home and stole their pets, wow, there would be an uproar.”

An elderly hobby farmer said she had a flock of six goats at her home and feared her beloved pets would be targeted while she was at work.

Meanwhile, supporters of activism defended taking ­action.

“Animal activism exists to bring awareness to the lack of laws and regulation to protect these animals,” said one submission. This was matched with calls for mandatory CCTV to be installed at abattoirs around the state and protections for activists and whistleblowers exposing animal cruelty.

Police restrain Cara Garrett while she tries to rescue animals.

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said agencies looking into animal welfare were under resourced and said the inquiry sought to criminalise the actions of ­people reacting to a broken system. The Queensland ­Department of Agriculture and Fisheries also wrote to the inquiry warning activists ­employed “sophisticated planning”.

New offences have been introduced in QLD with several people already facing court and being fined between $400 and $1300 in fines.

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