HISTORIC DAY FOR NSW FARMERS WITH RIGHT TO FARM LEGISLATION INTRODUCED

Today marked an historic day for NSW farmers and their families, with the Right to Farm Bill 2019 introduced today in State Parliament by Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall.

"This is an historic day for farmers around our State and the agricultural sector," Mr Marshall said.

"Not only does this Bill introduce the toughest suite of trespass laws in Australia, it is also the first time that a farmer's right to farm will be embedded in our laws, protecting farmers from vexatious and often simply ridiculous nuisance claims.

"We are delivering on our election commitment to step up and protect farmers from vegan vigilantes, illegal hunters and extremist activities that are designed to alienate farmers from those that live in the city, damaging our farmers and confusing consumers.

"The significance of this Bill cannot be overstated. Other industries for decades have enjoyed specific protections and legislative defences in our laws and yet farmers have been consistently overlooked. No longer will this be the case.  

"Farmers are the backbone of NSW. It is not just a private business, or an industry that hums along somewhere over the ranges. Farming provides the food and fibre we rely on to feed not just those who live in NSW and Australia, but farmers in NSW provide sustenance and produce to people right around the world.

"Consumers demand the best in agriculture and this is precisely what NSW farming families deliver. Enshrining their significance in law and imbedding in our statute books an inalienable right to farm is in everyone's best interests."

The Right to Farm Bill 2019 amends the Inclosed Lands Protection Act 1901 and introduces a new Act, the Right to Farm Act 2019, known as nuisance shield legislation.

"I'm incredibly proud to be the Minister for Agriculture finally bringing legal recognition to the importance of farmers to our State, and the importance of letting them get on with the job of doing what they do best – farming," Mr Marshall said.

The Bill will:

• Increase penalties and introduce new offences in the Inclosed Lands Protection Act 1901 (ILPA) including:

○     Increasing the penalty for aggravated trespass from a maximum of $5,500 to $13,200, including a new 12 month imprisonment (or 3 years if committed in company);

○     Increase the penalty for the aggravating trespass which causes a serious safety risk by introducing a 3 year maximum imprisonment term;

○     Introduce new offences to better address common trespass activities including:

■     an aggravating offence for damaging property in the process of the unlawful entry and wilfully or negligently releasing stock in the process of the unlawful entry;

■     an offence for inciting, directing, counselling, inducing or procuring the commission of the offence of aggravated unlawful entry on inclosed lands by another person ($11,000 and/or 12 month imprisonment);

●     Introduce standalone legislation that provides a defence for agricultural producers against common law nuisance claims and immediate injunction orders.