Extreme animal rights activists adding to farmers' stress, says Vallance

Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock Group president Len Vallance has told the animal rights activism Parliamentary inquiry tougher penalties were needed for trespass, livestock theft and vandalism.

"These are well planned and deliberate acts of criminal behaviour and should be treated as such, regardless of intent," Mr Vallance said in the group's submission.

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Mr Vallance said farmers had endured a multitude of challenges in recent years, including bushfires, economic variability and climate extremes.

"Adding to these challenges is the unnecessary stress of extreme animal rights activists, who feel it is their right to invade a farmers property," Mr Vallance said.

"Currently, Victorian farmers are offered little protection against deliberate acts of lawbreaking.

"Trespassing and livestock theft, during a farm invasion, are not covered appropriately under Victoria's trespass and biosecurity laws."

He said the livestock group recommended biosecurity legislation, and associated penalties. be increased for Victoria to align with NSW and Queensland.

Mr Vallance called for hefty fines, including on the spot fines for individuals and groups during a farm invasion, and imprisonment for farm invasion crime.

The group also called on the state government to advocate for the removal of the Aussie Farms Map.

Read more: Family farms targeted by animal activists' name-and-shame map

Mr Vallance said some VFF members had reported an increase in psychological distress, as their properties had been identified as "an animal exploitation facility" on the map.

"This submission is not about suppressing individual beliefs and freedom of speech," he said.

"It is about setting the course for a future that safeguards Victoria's biosecurity status, its food and fibre production and protects farming families against the actions of extreme animal rights activists."

Mr Vallance said animal activists put themselves, farmers and families, at risk, while trespassing.

"Any serious injury that occurred on a farmer's property, or in their yards, would have long-lasting mental health impacts for the farmer and their family," he said.

Their "desperate and inexperienced actions" during a farm trespass put animals at risk of adverse animal welfare outcomes.

The threat to on-farm biosecurity was also high, when activists entered, and moved around a property.

Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria president Graham Howell said animal rights activists were having a very significant impact on transporters.

"They present a threat to biosecurity, animal welfare, compliance with land transport standards and driver fatigue management," Mr Howell told the inquiry, in the LRTAV's submission.

He said vital concerns also included the business reputational effect on transporters and potentially criminal behaviour by activists, whether it be theft of animals or damage.

"Property invasion and damage is of concern to transporters, as well as the impact of stress and fear, on individuals," Mr Howell said.

"The act of transporting animal products off agricultural land must be protected, as well as the protecting of homes and farms of our primary producers.

"If transporters going about lawful business servicing farmers and the agricultural supply chain are not protected, then activists will continue to target them and threaten not only the viability of farm businesses but also transporters."

He said there were real concerns about activists being injured by a heavy vehicle, which would cause "irreparable harm" to the driver and their employer.

The industry was also concerned about the reputational loss, through filming trucks and operators and defaming them through sharing misinformation or negative commentary.

"All large and small activist actions take a real toll on operators/drivers, physically and emotionally," Mr Howell said.

"Anecdotally, reports of stressed, upset or frustrated drivers reflect the anxiety that is created when these incidents occur."

Mr Howell called on the committee to consider the impact of social media and carriage services in misrepresenting lawful, welfare compliant transport of animals as negative, unlawful or immoral.

Melbourne hearings of the inquiry take place today, at Parliament House, with Aussie Farms executive director Chris Dellforce scheduled to speak.

Others expected to appear at the Melbourne hearing were Edgar's Mission Sanctuary founder Pam Ahern, Animal Liberation Victoria and the RSPCA Victoria.

In her submission, Ms Ahern told the inquiry current cruelty, neglect and harm laws were "left wanting, or non-existent" when it came to animals farmed for food and fibre.

"Those laws that do exist, for farmed animals, are often poorly enforced, or not enforced at all," Ms Ahern said in her submission, which had been prepared on behalf of 350,000 supporters.

She said Edgar's Mission wanted no change to trespass laws and no specific anti-activism, or "ag-gag" laws.

"Instead, Edgar's Mission recommends the installation of CCTV in all agricultural operations, such as feedlots and factory farms, livestock markets and abattoirs, along with greater transparency within animal-based industries."

She said Edgar's Mission took the role of biosecurity in protecting animals, people and the environment very seriously.

"Edgar's Mission is not aware of any instances of an animal rescuer, or whistleblower, being responsible for the spread of disease."

Edgar's Mission also wanted government assistance for farmers to transition from animal-based to plant-based, agriculture.