Farmers ‘relieved’ government to impose tougher penalties on vegan activists
Aussie farmers are “pleased and relieved” the federal government has introduced tough legislation that could see animal activists serve jail time for trespassing.
The move comes after vegan protestors stormed onto farms earlier this year, chaining themselves to equipment and stealing animals.
The legislation includes two new offences; trespassing on agricultural land and inciting others to trespass, with serious aggravated offences resulting in up to five years behind bars.
President of the National Farmers Federation Fiona Simson tells Natalie Peters and Erin Molan she’s happy to see the government acting so swiftly.
“Anyone who suffers a home invasion knows how terrifying it is to have people breaking into your homes… and it’s the same with our farms.
“It will really enforce that this is a criminal offence… this is jail time, this is significant fines. And, more importantly, a criminal record which we think people that break into other people’s property, terrifying families, stealing animals, really deserve.
“People are so pleased and relieved. People have been terrified.”
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