The government of New South Wales (Australia) adopted the “right to agriculture” law, which announced stricter sanctions against animal rights activists in July this year and called on states to tighten their sentences.

In New South Wales, the law on the right to agriculture will be submitted to Parliament in the coming weeks. It provides for extra liberties of up to three years and fines of up to 13,433 euros. This also includes new crimes, such as "incitement" on the farm.

We punish property damage and the “release of animals" more heavily in cases of illegal invasion of farms or stables. In addition, farmers should be protected from complaints through common agricultural practices in urban areas.

The Minister of Agriculture of the State of New South Wales, Adam Marshall, made it very clear that the law sends a signal to activists: “If they invade a peasant group as a group, releasing animals from the stable, they commit a felony for up to three years in prison.”

The same applies to animal welfare activists who invade farms, slaughterhouses or dairy plants and disrupt operations there. New South Wales State President James Jackson sees tougher laws as a relief to farmers.

“In addition to the biosafety threat, farming creates greater insecurity among peasant families and their workers,” Jackson said, adding that the good news is that NSW will have the most severe penalties in Australia as a deterrent.