Illegal animal activism resulting in extensive damage to livestock vehicles has been condemned by the Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) and the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA).
The actions, which are part of a recent wave of malicious property damage have left professional livestock carriers in regional NSW grappling with the fallout.
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 11 March is currently the subject of a police investigation.
“As an owner operator, I depend on my equipment to earn a living,” the operator who spoke to LBRCA on condition of anonymity said.
“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.”
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 said.
“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.
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 said.
“It is essential to protect livestock carriers and ensure the rule of law.”
In a joint statement the ALRTA and LBRCA said authorities must enforce strict measures against such unlawful and malicious actions.
“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 groups said in a media release.
The LBRCA and ALRTA are committed to combating illegal animal activism, particularly incidents involving intentional acts of malicious damage to livestock carrier vehicles.
The LBRCA and ALRTA noted that they collaborated 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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