Victoria’s farm trespass laws to be introduced to State Parliament

Victoria’s new farm trespass laws have been revealed with animal activists facing huge fines for illegally entering properties.

Penalties for farm trespass will be ramped up from next year with the Victorian Government set to introduce legislation in State Parliament today.

In June 2020, then-Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes announced new measures to protect biosecurity in agriculture in response to a parliamentary inquiry into the impact of animal rights activism on farms.

Currently Agriculture Minister Mary Anne Thomas will today confirm details of the Livestock Management Amendment (Animal Activism) Bill, which she said will “address the serious impacts of trespass on Victorian farms.”

Under the new laws, farm trespassers will face 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 offending.

The new arrangements will come into effect in 2022.

“Farmers and the agricultural industry should be able to do their work without fear of being targeted by animal activists,” Ms Thomas said.

“This sort of activity is highly distressing for farming families and puts the biosecurity and safety of the animals that activists purport to protect at risk.”

“Victorian farmers work hard to keep their animals safe and protect them from pests and diseases with robust biosecurity systems.

“This new legislation will deter behaviour that puts that hard work at risk.”

The Victorian Government made a commitment in June last year that it would implement the new offence of farm trespass, which was recommended in February last year as part of a parliamentary inquiry into the impact of animal activism on Victorian agriculture.

The inquiry was set up back in May 2019, after The Weekly Times revealed an activist was fined $1 for breaking biosecurity laws after stealing livestock from a Gippsland goat farm.