VFF president Emma Germano said farmers were upset that the government was dealing with animal welfare legislation, before finalising the trespass laws.

In June 2020, the state government committed to introducing hefty on-the-spot fines for biosecurity breaches, upon recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry into farm trespass.

But Ms Germano said it was showing a 'lack of respect' for farmers, by dealing with the animal welfare legislation first.

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"We are talking about draft legislation on the animal welfare act and I don't know why we are talking about that before we are talking about trespass," Ms Germano said.

"The purpose of the inquiry was about how to prevent animal activism and they should be starting with trespass laws."

She said there had been no meaningful conversations with government about the trespass laws.

"Show farmers some respect by dealing with the trespass laws, before animal welfare."

She said the VFF was concerned at deals the state government had done with Animal Justice Party Western Victoria MP Andy Meddick to secure his vote in the Upper House.

Mr Meddick has previously supported animal activists.

He has recently raised concerns about 'abusive' protestors demonstrating at his house, over the proposed pandemic legislation.

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"Finally, someone who has been supportive of animal activists, trespassing on family farms and homes, has had a taste of that and said it is a totally inappropriate way to protest," Ms Germano said.

"We would expect the government would stand by farmers - they should have cross-bench support now - and get the job done."

Opposition Agriculture spokesman Peter Walsh slammed the lack of progress, saying it left farmers and their families exposed to theft and people illegally entering their property.

"The minister bizarrely tried to claim today that the delay doesn't matter because farmers are protected by existing laws - but flaws in existing legislation is exactly why these reforms are needed," Mr Walsh said.

"When current laws see criminal actions by extreme animal activists resulting in a fine of just $1 it's clear the system isn't deterring illegal trespass or protecting hard-working, law-abiding farm families.

"The Minister's failure to introduce this important legislation only emboldens extreme animal activists to trespass on and steal farmers' private property."

He said claims by Ms Thomas the legislation would be introduced 'in due course' meant the laws were not ready.

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"Other states have already done the work to draft, introduce and pass legislation for on-the-spot fines," Mr Walsh said.

"If the government still needs some pointers, it could look to New South Wales, South Australia or Queensland.

"Farming is fundamental to our regional, state and national economy, and supporting the agriculture industry must be a priority, but the Minister's lack of action shows Labor's priorities are all wrong."

But Ms Thomas rejected the claims.

"Our farmers and agricultural businesses should be free to do their work without fear of being targeted by animal activists, who put hard working farming families, biosecurity and the animals they purport to protect at risk," she said.

"Once again, Peter Walsh is simply wrong.

"Significant work has taken place this year to engage with industry and develop legislation and I look forward to having more to say about these reforms soon."

Agriculture Victoria had consulted with key stakeholders, as it worked on creating a new biosecurity offence relating to trespass on private land.

The state government supported 13 of the 15 recommendations, made by the Legislative Council's inquiry into the Impact of Animal Activism on Victorian Agriculture.

The report recommended strengthening Victoria's biosecurity laws to address the risk of animal activists spreading pests and diseases at agricultural premises.

It recommended the creation of a new biosecurity offence requiring any person entering a livestock premises to adhere to the property's biosecurity management plan (BMP), with those who fail to comply receiving an on-the-spot fine.

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