NEWS
Update from APL The Australian parliament has passed legislation which criminalises the incitement of trespass and property destruction on agricultural land. The laws came into the spotlight following the release of the Aussie Farms map which identified farming premises across the country, alongside illegally obtained footage. A thorough explanation of the Bill is available in theParliamentary Library’s Bills Digest. The final text of the Bill, including amendments to include forestry businesses, is on theHouse of Representatives website. APL General Manager Policy Deb Kerr also appeared at Warwick in Queensland at a public hearing into the Criminal Code (Trespass Offences) Amendment Bill 2019. The Committee heard from a range of affected producers and abattoirs on their experiences in relation to activism. Deb Kerr tabled the results of the 2018 Industry Survey questions relating to activism for the information of the Committee. Similar legislation protecting farmers has either been implemented or is being negotiated in every pig producing state other than Tasmania. APL is providing submissions and appearing in person at the inquiries when requested. Submissions that are provided to the inquiries are available on the APL website. The collective movement across the country in support of farming businesses is welcome news for producers that have been relentlessly targeted for many years. APL has made it clear that while changes to legislation and penalties is long overdue, it remains to be seen whether the new laws will be used effectively by the criminal justice system. APL is strongly encouraging all decision makers to use the new laws effectively so as to deter would-be activists from further farm invasions. African swine fever roundtable The threat of African Swine Fever to Australia prompted the Minister for Agriculture, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie to call an emergency roundtable of industry, chief veterinary officers, government and disease experts on the threat of AFS to the Australian pig herd. The event included an update on the international disease situation from Dr Mark Schipp, Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, an overview of Australia’s biosecurity by Dr Robyn Martin, Department of Agriculture (DoA), a trade panel discussion, with Malcolm Thompson (DoA), Simon Quilty and Jason Strong (MLA), a biosecurity panel discussion, with QLD Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Allison Crook, APL General Manager Deb Kerr, Caroline McGill (representing importers) and Dean Merrilees (DoA) and working groups then discussed the key issues for trade and biosecurity, with a facilitated discussion around the priorities. Some clear messages were that Australia’s ability to respond to an ASF incursion is good at the strategic level (i.e. the EADRA and AusVetPlans), reasonably well developed at the operational level (i.e. state response plans) but required additional work at the technical level (i.e. actually what will be done, by who etc). Similar to APL’s ASF Summit in Adelaide, clarity was critically needed in the various roles and responsibilities – along with sufficient resourcing – to ensure Australia’s capacity to respond is not compromised. There will be a national desktop exercise to test the veracity of Australia’s strategic capacity later in 2019 with an aim for a broader and more detailed exercise in 2020.
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