Of course the National Farmers Federation, NFF, has to tread carefully over the issue of activists invading farms, however, a little bit more huff and puff, threatening firm outcomes to farm trespassers could be a deterrent.
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Farmers are advised to take a very soft approach and stay well and truly on the right side of laws that protect the "victim".
So far the NFF has said the organisation's Fighting Fund may be used in relation to the publishing of a farm location map. The fringe activists just laugh at such postulating and they are aware that courts will only give them a slap on the wrist and send them to the naughty corner.
The NFF and member farming organisations need to get tough, talk tough and act tough. For a start, every offender should walk away from court with a conviction for all to see all their life - a criminal history. One that will be picked up on job applications and police histories. A scar for life. Give them the message, "you mess with us and we will mess with you".
What these people are doing is downright dangerous particularly when it comes to biosecurity. Foot and Mouth was detected at one of our airports in luggage containing foodstuffs which provide the risk of spread by urban-based activists. The NNF needs to grasp the nettle and advise farmers that they will be provided with legal advice in any court action.
PERFECT STORM
For years we have been fed rubbish that environmental flows down the Murray River enhance the health of the rivers and its associated flood plains. If we were to be environmentally pure, we would let the river run dry every now and then. Remove all the storages and all the locks. But no, in the name of the environment, water is artificially shoved down the river whenever possible.
Also, the river is now being used as a supply channel for water bought from Goulburn and Murray irrigators to be used many hundreds of kilometres downstream. The damage has been evident with massive bank erosion and trees toppling into the river.
Now, we are being told that the major pest scourge of our waterways, European carp, is thriving in these man-induced conditions. Research is showing that carp spawn after three years growth so flooding less frequently can bring them under control and allow native fish species to compete. Makes sense doesn't it.
Observers are saying due to unregulated environmental flooding the number of juvenile carp has boomed providing a perfect storm for a future explosion in numbers. The problem is that the Commonwealth authority that owns a massive amount of water is trying to prove its relevance. Yes, we want healthy rivers and ecosystems, however, judicious and timely watering say every four to five years taking into account natural flooding events could be applicable. In the meantime, make any extra water available to irrigators.