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ls work to protect Primary Industries

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said proposed amendments to the Crimes Act should serve to protect primary industries and exports from animal liberation extremists.

By Department of Primary Industries - 7th September 2005 - Back to News

The Liberal Party is yet to see details of the proposed legislation, but Attorney-General Rob Hulls’ advice is that the amendment will close a loophole to ensure that a person can be found guilty of intentionally or recklessly causing economic loss or public harm by contaminating livestock.

Mr Davis said the Liberal Party had fought hard to have the Act urgently amended after the acquittal of an animal liberationist who contaminated sheep feed with pig meat and argued in defence his aim was to raise public awareness rather than to cause economic harm.

Mr Davis said the Act currently allowed animal rights activists to escape liability because it was not the intention to cause economic loss.

"In July we pressured Rob Hulls and, together with the Victorian Farmers Federation, sought to raise public awareness of the inadequacy of the current provisions of the Crimes Act.

"Farmers right across Victoria were furious that animal liberationist undertaking protests could escape criminal liability for damages simply because it was not their intention to cause economic losses.

"Our democratic system allows people to raise public awareness about issues through protesting, but we must also protect our primary industries.

"If someone causes harm to those primary industries, they should be held accountable."

Mr Davis said he was pleased the Bracks Government had seen sense on this issue although more urgent action should have been taken.

"Despite the delay, I’m pleased Rob Hulls saw fit to investigate possible alternatives, because it was evident Labor’s Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron was not interested in protecting Victoria’s primary industries.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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