FARMERS across WA have expressed fears of reprisals by animals activists if they speak out against extreme vegan activists after Aussie Farms made public an interactive map of slaughterhouses and livestock production locations across the country a few weeks ago.
One WA cattle producer, who did not want to be named, said “democracy is broken when you can’t speak out for fear of reprisals”.
He called on the Federal government to make it harder for activists to operate against law-abiding businesses, and shut down those who flout the law and encroach on the rights of farming families.
“When State and Federal governments don’t do anything about groups like Aussie Farms, the system is broken,” the farmer said.
He said Aussie Farms should lose its registered charity status (in New South Wales and Victoria) and the website with the interactive map should be shut down.
“Farmers are worried,” he said.
“We are lucky that we’re under the radar but there are others we know that are listed on the map.”
The farmer said it had been a difficult year with the disruption in the live export trade, which had significantly impacted his business and he was concerned about where livestock farming was heading into the future.
“It is the second time in less than a decade that live exports has taken a hit and it’s really hurt our trade and dented my confidence in the industry,” he said.
“There was also the recent group of vegan protesters that showed up at Muchea (Livestock Centre).
“Where is it all going to stop?
“When did it become a crime to grow food - I don’t know when that happened?”
Green Shirts Movement WA spokesperson Alan Sattler, a Beverley grain producer, agreed that farmers were fearful of what was happening with radical vegan activists and if they were allowed to continue identifying farmers as targets he believed there could be dire consequences as farmers sought to protect themselves and their families and businesses.
“The wrong people may end up going to jail if something is not done to protect farmers from trespassers,” Mr Sattler said.
“The Federal government should be protecting farmers from animal extremists who break the law and trespass.”
Mr Sattler believed the trespass laws relating to the disruption of farm businesses, while putting at risk biosecurity and animal welfare, should be treated separately to trespass on another types of business.
He also said the punishment was not adequate enough if “militant activists” were going to openly flout the law and post their exploits on social media.
Mr Sattler said changing the Animal Welfare Act wouldn’t make a difference because “the end goal of the activists is to stop all livestock farming”, so no matter what measures were taken they wouldn’t be good enough.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said State governments needed to “make sure trespass laws carry huge penalties”.
“A big deterrent is required here,” he said.
WAFarmers chief executive officer Trevor Whittington said it was “a sad and dysfunctional world that we live in if farmers can’t openly advertise their farm business, what they do, what the sell and where they farm”.
“We are all about traceability and providence and accountability until the activist use it to shut us down one by one? Mr Whittington said.
“Where are the rights of the farmers and consumers in this debate, or are both the forgotten ones?”
p See more of his comments on pages 38-39 of Section 2 in this week’s Farm Weekly package.
Breakout:
MEAT and Livestock Australia (MLA) has partnered with the red meat industry and National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), to provide information and advice to red meat producers about the Aussie Farms online map.
NFF and the red meat industry is deeply concerned that personal details of individual properties were featured on the site - given that many of these farms were also family homes.
MLA said trespassing on farms or entry without prior permission presented a substantial biosecurity risk that could be detrimental to the health and well-being of livestock, it also presents a safety risk for farming families and their employees.
“Red meat producers should consider the advice put forward from the NFF,” MLA said.
This includes three simple steps that producers can take right away, check the map to see if your property has been identified, and if so request removal by contacting Aussie Farms and file a complaint with the Office of the Information Commissioner.
“Unauthorised entry onto your property is a potential risk to your biosecurity, to animal health and welfare and to the safety of your employees and family,” MLA said.
“Members of the public have no right to enter private property or carry out property inspections without prior permission.
“Be vigilant, keep an eye out for unusual activity and take note of unauthorised vehicles on or near your property.
“Speak to your neighbours and ask them to be alert.
“If you or your staff encounter trespassers on your property, you should stay calm and act in a rational manner.”
