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Farmers Resort To Spy Cameras To Keep Stock SafeThe Bracks Government is forcing victims of livestock theft to take matters into their own hands, with one farmer installing security cameras on his property, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said today. By Philip Davis - 8th March 2005 - Back to News The Liberal Party made a policy decision to re-instate the livestock squad some years ago and has been pushing Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron and former Police Minister Andre Haermeyer to investigate the issue, but they have both refused.
As a result, incidence of livestock theft has escalated throughout the state.
Currently, Central Victorian farmers believe there could be a professional operation of livestock thieves targeting ewes in full wool, following a spate of similar thefts in the region in recent months.
Mr Davis said livestock theft was costing farmers millions of dollars each year.
"It is ridiculous to think that livestock is being stolen throughout Victoria every day, yet the Bracks Government refuses to address the problem," Mr Davis said.
"It is even more bizarre that this recent spate of thefts is taking place in Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron’s own electorate, yet he still ignores the problem."
Mr Davis said a Maldon farmer recently resorted to installing security cameras on his property, after losing 259 merino ewes to thieves.
He said farmers were desperate for assistance in tracking down the perpetrators of these crimes.
"Unlike the city-centric Bracks Government, the Liberal Party knows what is going on in country Victoria and is dedicated to addressing the important issues," Mr Davis said.
"A Liberal Government would re-establish the Stolen Livestock Squad to specifically combat rural crimes such as livestock theft.
"The Victorian Farmers Federation estimated farm crimes cost Victorian farmers more than $72 million a year and livestock theft is estimated to affect one in 12 farms.
"We are talking about the livelihoods of farming families that are simply disappearing – years of hard work and investment never to be seen again.
"Bob Cameron has buried his head in the sand on this issue for long enough, the time has come for him to start listening and recognise livestock theft is devastating country Victoria."
Mr Davis said the Stolen Livestock Squad would provide specialised training and support for regional and rural investigators where a major stock theft was identified. It would also launch targeted investigations in regional areas.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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