![TRESPASSERS: Animal activists chained themselves inside the Benalla abattoir in 2018. TRESPASSERS: Animal activists chained themselves inside the Benalla abattoir in 2018.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/sadflkjlewajqwer/f4fd3868-44e8-4c17-a555-d29a4b25a434.jpg/r0_0_800_450_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Despite supporting the report tabled as part of the Victorian inquiry into animal activism, Member for Northern Victoria Tim Quilty said there are "flaws" with the recommendations.
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In particular, Mr Quilty disagrees with the recommendation of mandatory installation of CCTV in abattoirs across the state.
"No one wants everything they do to be watched, even if they do the right thing all the time," he said.
"While they would enable abattoirs to demonstrate that they treat animals appropriately, their installation would represent yet another erosion of privacy."
Other recommendations include the introduction of on-the-spot fines for a new biosecurity offence "similar to the NSW model" and the need to implement "public interest exemptions" in the Surveillance Devices Act for activists who installed video equipment on farms without permission.
![Tim Quilty. Tim Quilty.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/sadflkjlewajqwer/6c638760-07c6-400e-b3c0-f56bea557101.jpg/r0_0_3224_4842_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
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"This report does an adequate job of protecting farmers while at the same time not impinging on Victorians' rights to speech and assembly," Mr Quilty said.
"On-the-spot fines are an effective practical solution which will provide a decent deterrent.
"It will also prevent magistrates from sending potentially dangerous extremists on their way with nothing but a kiss on the cheek from the system.
"I was on the committee that produced the report, and it was clear from the testimonies of independent experts that most animal activists are egged on by a false narrative about the quality of animal husbandry in Victoria.
"Having grown up on a farm, I understand how important biosecurity is to farmers, and I support this report despite its flaws.
The Victorian Farmers Federation has called the report a "mixed bag".
President David Jochinke said while they welcome the recognition that animal activists "do have an impact on farmers, their businesses and homes" they believe the need to codify public interest exemptions is "a step too far".