A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry into the impact of animal rights activism on the agriculture industry will hear evidence from Wimmera farmers.
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The Legislative Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee is investigating the effectiveness of legislation and other measures to prevent and deter activists.
The committee will hear submissions on the inquiry at a hearing at the Horsham International Hotel on Wednesday from 10am.
So far, the inquiry has received almost 500 written submissions, including many from Wimmera farmers.
The Victorian Farmers Federation will present at the Horsham hearing, along with the Australian Livestock Saleyard Association.
The inquiry will also hear from Horsham producer and stock agent Sally Ison, Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange manager Paul Christopher, and former Luv-A-Duck general manager and Nhill resident John Millington.
Victorian Farmers Federation president and Murra Warra farmer David Jochinke said the inquiry was about property rights and how agriculture had been affected by a recent spate of farm invasions.
"We want to use the inquiry to discuss the effect farm invasions have had, not only on the physical farm, but also on the mental health of people who are targeted - especially when activists are convicted but don't receive any punishment," he said.
Mr Jochinke said it was great to see a hearing in the Wimmera.
"This will give people a chance to meet and discuss the key issues - these opportunities can be few and far between," he said.
"It is important to have these discussions and try to understand everyone's point of view.
"Our position is that we are interested in protecting people's rights under the law."
Mr Jochinke encouraged people to come along to the hearing.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said she was pleased to see that a number of submissions had come from the Wimmera as they would provide locally relevant evidence to inform the committee's final recommendation.
"Our farmers don't have the luxury of being able to simply drop everything to travel to a hearing held in Melbourne," she said.
"It is important that local residents have the opportunity to speak to their submissions.
"Our farmers deserve to be safe at work and in their homes, but that's not been the case while law-breaking activists feel they can invade farms and steal livestock, only to get a slap on the wrist.
"Farmers and farm businesses need appropriate protection from these activists.
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