Farmers need better protection against farm trespass and illegal surveillance and a peak body group representing the state's farmers has called on the NSW Parliament to commit to a reform.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NSW Farmers Association say the current laws are completely inadequate and producers need immediate action to provide certainty of protection for their family, animals, staff and farm infrastructure.
NSW Farmers' President James Jackson said meaningful legislative reform is necessary to ensure a robust, fit-for-purpose legislative framework that protects farm businesses from increasingly belligerent activists’ activities.
“Farms are being violated, privacy is being breached, and the safety of our animals and people is at heightened risk,” he said.
Mr Jackson said the uncompromising tactics of Aussie Farms to encourage further trespass and unauthorised surveillance cannot be allowed to continue without strong and effective legal recourse.
Last week the Government responded to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Unauthorised Filming and Surveillance, endorsing legislative reform.
“NSW Farmers calls on all candidates for the March State election to actively support farmers; commit to this important legislative reform; and denounce trespass and unauthorised surveillance,” Mr Jackson said.
ALSO MAKING NEWS: Agriculture one of Australia's most dangerous industries
“This week the Association has written to The Liberals, The Nationals, NSW Labor, the Greens and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers parties urging that this legislative reform be the first order of business for the first session of the 57th Parliament,” Mr Jackson said.
“It is time for all the parties to commit to action and the next NSW Government must demonstrate their clear intent to protect farmers.”
