November 12, 2020
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has issued a scare campaign aimed at reducing recreational fisher access to public land. A central component of the VFF’s scare campaign is to suggest recreational fishers are a biosecurity threat to Victorian farms. VRFish calls BULLDUST!
What is Farm Biosecurity?
Farm biosecurity is a set of measures designed to protect a property from the entry and spread of pests and diseases.
The Parliamentary Inquiry into the Impact of Animal Rights Activism on Victorian Agriculture Report and the Victorian Government Response (May 2020) to 12 findings and 15 recommendations clearly demonstrates the critical importance biosecurity plays in the Victorian agricultural industry.
Public access to public land and CAMPING are NOT MENTIONED!
What is mentioned is the State Government’s $710,000 gift to the Victorian Farmers Federation to deliver a consumer‐focussed communications and engagement campaign. VRFish ponders how the VFF’s funding of a scare campaign to restrict public access to public land is in line with the recommendations of the report or the funding agreement.
Finally, here’s what the Livestock Biosecurity Network advises:
FICTION: I have to capture peoples’ details that use a gazetted road through my property.
FACT: Your visitor log or management strategy does not need to capture information about people travelling through your property on gazetted public roads. These people pose a very minimal biosecurity risk to your farm. Your visitor procedure should only deal with people visiting your farm itself, such as agents, vets, contractors or guests.
If visitors are deviating from the road on to pastures or fields without your prior consent, consider ways in which to clearly mark your private property and facilitate communication with these visitors, allowing you to assess and respond to that risk.
For more information on Farm Biosecurity, visit: https://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/
