Shots fired as farmer and vegans clash in Western Australia

A frustrated farmer who fired shots after vegans filming his grazing calves refused to leave his rural WA property will not be charged by police.

A frustrated farmer who fired shots after vegans filming his grazing calves refused to leave his rural WA property will not be charged by police.

7 News, which first reported the story, late Friday night confirmed police had ruled out charges against Jason Parravacini over the incident captured in now-viral video.

James Warden, outspoken vegan and member of activist group Direct Action Everywhere, was parked outside Mr Parravacini’s home and farm in Harvey, 140km south of Perth. When Mr Parravacini approached the activist, the two began a heated interaction.

In the video, Mr Warden asks Mr Parravacini questions about the calves, to which the farmer responds, “It’s none of your f***ing business. Like you told me”.

Mr Parravacini then asked Mr Warden to stop filming before yanking the keys from the ignition of the car, according to 7 News.
A scuffle then ensues between the two, with the farmer swearing at the activists, “You get the f*** out of my place”.

The confrontation quickly became heated.

It ended with farmer Jason Parravacini firing shots into the distance.

Mr Parravacini can be heard repeatedly requesting not to be filmed and for the activists to leave his property.

“If you don’t want to eat meat, by all means,” Mr Parravacini said to the activists.

“I’m a primary producer. I’m feeding most of the world. And a lot of people don’t complain it’s only guys like you so I suggest you move on.

“Youse are tormenting Harvey. Get the hell out of here,” he said.

Mr Parravacini then went into his home and got a shot gun, and fired bullets into the distance.

Mr Warden said he was not surprised at the violence.

“These farming communities are an echo chamber for this kind of violence and it does not surprise me whatsoever that they are now targeting and acting in violence towards human beings,” Mr Warden said.

James Warden is an outspoken vegan and member of Direct Action Everywhere.

Mr Parravacini disagrees with Mr Warden’s version of events, claiming he was provoked by the activists who turned up outside his property.

“They’re just fabricating story after story. People have just had enough. If they want to be vegan by all means be vegan, look that's their choice. But just leave us alone.”

The video sparked heated debate. Farmers groups, police and politicians have called for calm. 7 News reported farmers in the area were now on “high alert” for more activists, with police on standby.

Direct Action Everywhere last year stormed a Melbourne steakhouse restaurant, in a move that the group’s spokeswoman said was intended to “force” its message on the public.

According to the group’s then leader, Joanne Lee, “99 per cent of the vegan activist community were passive activism groups”.

She said in February last year that the group had a goal of one event per month, including shutting down slaughterhouses.