Multiple associations have come out condemning the actions of a recent wave of illegal animal activism that is seeing livestock vehicles being extensively damaged.
Both the Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) and the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) have slammed the illegal activism that is having ongoing consequences for those impacted.
Throughout regional NSW, livestock carriers have been victims of malicious property damage, including the physical destruction of their vehicles.
The associations say a professional livestock carrier from the Southern Riverina area of NSW is bearing the financial and emotional toll caused by illegal actions masquerading as advocacy. The attack on Tuesday March 11 is under police investigation.
“As an owner operator, I depend on my equipment to earn a living,” the operator says.
“The damage was extensive and included derogatory comments spraypainted along the length of the vehicle, large holes ripped through 15 tyres and significant damage to air lines and electrical cables. I’m looking at a repair cost of around $10-15,000.”
The associations say an emblem purporting the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) was spraypainted on the front of the trailer, suggesting that the damage may have been carried out by members of this covert and segregated group. In the past, ALF has claimed responsibility for acts of arson and vandalism on businesses the group considers harmful to animals.
“While peaceful activism is a cornerstone of democratic societies, illegal activities that harm small businesspeople and their property is completely unacceptable,” ALRTA president Gerard Johnson says.
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“These actions are not only unlawful but deeply harmful to the livelihoods and emotional well-being of those affected. Hard working rural Australians need to be protected from such groups.”
The livestock industry is worth $80 billion to the Australian economy and employs almost 500,000 people, with more than 40 million head of livestock transported across the country annually.
The associations say attacks like this pose a huge risk to the security of the food supply chain, and the future of the country’s second largest export commodity after mining.
One of the key impacts of illegal animal activism is the loss of income for operators. Damaged vehicles are usually assessed as not roadworthy and therefore render businesses unable to operate, leaving hardworking livestock carriers unable to earn a living. These disruptions not only harm the livestock carriers but also affect local economies and communities.
To compound these issues, the insurance implications of such claims often leave victims in a precarious position. Some livestock carriers face increased premiums, and with long lead times from repairers, many are forced to bear the full cost of repairs themselves.
“Illegal activism, particularly when it involves malicious activities such as property damage or disruption to the humane transport of animals, represents a direct violation of individual rights and public order, and can impede – not assure – the welfare of animals,” LBRCA president Wade Lewis says.
“It is essential to protect livestock carriers and ensure the rule of law.”
The associations say authorities must enforce strict measures against such unlawful and malicious actions – they say digital platforms that knowingly facilitate or promote illegal activities should be shutdown, punishment severity whether in the form of increased fines or longer prison sentences should be imposed, and greater public awareness of the financial and emotional toll caused by illegal animal activists should be prioritised.
The LBRCA and ALRTA are committed to combating illegal animal activism, particularly incidents involving intentional acts of malicious damage to livestock carrier vehicles.
Both associations say they collaborate regularly with legitimate animal welfare organisations including the RSPCA and Animal Angels to progress reform that improves animal welfare throughout the livestock supply chain.
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