Gippy Goat animal activist fined $1; still not required to obtain PIC
AN ANIMAL activist who was recently fined $1 for housing stolen livestock at her Koo Wee Rup home without a Property Identification Code, is still not required to register her property.
AN ANIMAL activist who was recently fined $1 for housing stolen livestock at her Koo Wee Rup home without a Property Identification Code, is still not required to register her property.
The Weekly Times can reveal Agriculture Victoria does not require Cara Garrett, 24, to obtain a PIC.
“It is Agriculture Victoria’s understanding that the property in question has no livestock present on it at this point in time, therefore it does not require a PIC,” an Agriculture Victoria spokeswoman said.
ACTIVIST FINED $1 FOR BIOSECURITY BREACH
‘GIPPY GOAT’ STOLEN FOR SECOND TIME
Police told The Weekly Times at the time of Ms Garrett’s arrest for stealing livestock from a Gippsland farm, that they found an allegedly stolen lamb and goat among other animals unrelated to the theft.
While the lamb and goat — which has since been reported stolen for a second time — were returned to the owners’ farm, it is unknown where the other livestock are now located.
Agriculture Victoria could not tell The Weekly Times the last time the property was inspected or explain why they did not issue a $484 infringement notice, which livestock owners who do not have a PIC can receive.
“Victoria Police led the investigation into this matter and Agriculture Victoria provided support to this investigation, particularly on matters relating to the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994,” Victoria’s chief veterinary officer Charles Milne said.
“For privacy reasons, Agriculture Victoria does not disclose the individual details of compliance matters.”
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Ms Garrett was also fined $1 for removing an identifying ear tag from the stolen goat.
In Victoria, livestock must have a National Livestock Identification System tag issued before leaving their property of birth and livestock that have lost or had their original tag removed must be identified with a “post breeder NLIS tag” prior to leaving a property.
It is unknown whether any livestock received these tags before leaving Ms Garrett’s home.
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Meanwhile, the Victorian Coalition remains “hopeful” of gaining Government support to set up an inquiry to look into the effectiveness of state laws protecting farmers from animal activist invasions.
This is despite not receiving a response from Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes after sending her a letter two weeks ago.
Nationals leader and Victorian Opposition agriculture spokesman Peter Walsh said “we’re hopeful she also wants to address what’s become a huge concern among our farming communities and sectors, particularly since those unacceptable penalties”.
Ms Symes would not say whether she would recommend Labor MPs vote in favour of the motion, but said “breaking the law in the name of animal activism is unacceptable” and that “it is already illegal to trespass on farms and steal animals and courts can impose significant fines”.
The Weekly Times understands Ms Symes intends to respond in coming weeks.
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