VICTORIAN Farmers Federation president David Jochinke has called for farm trespass penalties to be significantly increased.

Mr Jochinke, a farmer at Murra Warra, has told the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Impact of Animal Rights Activism farm trespass penalties ought to be strengthened to $220,000 for individuals, $400,000 for organisations, and $1,000 on-the-spot fines.

"Earlier this year, more than 70 activists stormed the Gippy Goat Café, intimated staff, entered stock yards, and repeatedly stole livestock," Mr Jochinke said.

"This ringleader of this group received a grand total of two $1 fines.

"Another activist was found guilty of theft but received zero penalties from the court."

He said the purpose of the inquiry was to determine if current laws were effective, in preventing and deterring activists from trespassing on farms.

"How could they be effective when the courts are handing out such pitiful penalties?" he said.

"By their own admission, activists willfully defy the law without fear of consequences."

He said activists continued to invade family farms and even repeatedly attack the same farm, over a series of weeks.

"Tougher laws are required because trespass on farm properties presents particular risks that do not exist in other workplaces such as risks to personal safety, animal welfare, biosecurity and public health.

"Most importantly, farm trespass is akin to home invasion.

"Farms are not only a place of work, but are the homes of our farming families."

He said after hearing shocking stories of farming families harassed by activists, he hoped Parliamentarians would have no doubt in their minds Victoria needed tougher laws to protect farming families and deter invaders.

Stock and Land