Trespass toughened

ANIMAL rights activists who trespass on Queensland farms and abattoirs during protests will be slapped with fines of hundreds of dollars under regulation changes that are due to take effect in days.

Fines of more than $600 will be issued by police or biosecurity officers as part of a Queensland government crackdown after a spate of protests that began last year.

The government announced yesterday the Biosecurity Regulation 2016 will be amended to include the penalty for those considered to be a threat to biosecurity and animal and worker welfare.

Activists could also face trespass charges and potentially jail time, but only after farmers and business owners make a complaint to police.

“We take animal welfare very seriously and so does an overwhelming majority of our agricultural businesses,” Agricultural Industry Development Minister Mark Furner said.