Animal activism inquiry a ‘big win for vegan activism’
A Gippsland farmer whose property invasion was the catalyst for an inquiry into animal activism has labelled it a “big win for vegan activism”.
A GIPPSLAND farmer whose property invasion was the catalyst for a parliamentary inquiry into animal activism’s impact on agriculture has labelled it a “big win for vegan activism”, after the recommendations were tabled in Parliament last week.
The Victorian Nationals put forward a motion for an inquiry to examine the state’s laws in April last year, stating “enough is enough” after The Weekly Times revealed an activist received $1 fines for breaking biosecurity laws after stealing livestock from John Gommans’ Gippy Goat Cafe and farm at Yarragon.
The inquiry found “the penalties handed out following incidents at Gippy Goat Cafe did not meet the expectations of many stakeholders in this inquiry and some sections of the community”. But it was the only finding that was not paired with a recommendation.
The inquiry committee’s findings and recommendations included, mandatory CCTV in abattoirs, “higher” animal welfare standards, public interest exemptions for hidden cameras and an on-the-spot fine for a new biosecurity offence – but did not include recommendations for the act of theft or trespass itself.
DETAILS: WHAT THE ACTIVISM INQUIRY RECOMMENDED
Mr Gommans said he was outraged by the report.
“(Premier Daniel) Andrews doing nothing about the report would be the best outcome we could hope for now,” he said.
“What we have now is a greater lack of clarity and, in my view, an increased chance of covert surveliance because the whole question of penalties was left extremely unclear.”
The report recommended the Government “codify public interest exemptions” in the Surveillance Devices Act for activists who install video equipment on farms without permission.
Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke slammed the recommendation, saying it allowed “greater flexible legislation to allow activists to increase activities”.
VFF: INQUIRY FAILS TO PROTECT FARMERS
Young mother and egg farmer Danyel Cucinotta, who had described her fears about farm invasions to the inquiry, said the report’s recommendations did not make her feel any safer as she wished it would have.
“I thought there was hope but based on the recommendations I won’t be moving on to the farm anytime soon, which is a bit of a shame.”
“We need to bring the focus back to exactly what happens to those doing illegal activity. Finding improvements in agriculture is fantastic, but it wasn’t the point.”
The committee’s report did recommend a new offence for trespassers who did not comply with a farm’s biosecurity management plan, with no requirement for farmers to explain the plan to those trespassing.
An on-the-spot fine, “similar to the NSW model” would be the penalty. Under NSW laws, introduced in July last year, trespassers who pose a biosecurity risk can be fined $1000 on the spot and subject to further fines of up to $220,000.
Other recommendations included Agriculture Victoria auditing the number of businesses with biosecurity plans, to make information about standard farming practice available online, and to conduct an audit of how it handled animal welfare complaints in 2019.
Labor MP and committee chair Nazih Elasmar wrote, “while it may seem that many of the recommendations focus on animal welfare, they actually provide extra protection for the animal agriculture industry by ensuring well-informed consumers maintain confidence in the sector.”
The Victorian Government has six months to respond to the recommendations.
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