COMMONWEALTH Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister, Tony Burke has come out forcefully in support of farmers as they face increasing attacks from animal rights extremists.
Speaking on the ABC TV’s Landline Programme on Sunday, August 24, Minister Burke stated that the Government will support farmers against “animal welfare [sic], animal rights extremists, the likes of which don’t support seeing eye dogs or children having gold fish in a bowl!”
In the clear warning to groups such as PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - Mr Burke was speaking at one of the stops on his ‘Back O’Burke’ visits to meet with farmers and their families.
This time he was on a remote Northern Territory cattle station, ‘Riveren’, run by the Underwood family who specialise in raising stock for the live cattle export markets.
Mr Burke stated that there is no intention by the Australian Government to appease animal rights extremists.
This clarification of Government policy is a welcome change from the failures of Australian Wool Innovation as they did just that, “we have done everything to appease the animal rights groups”, was the statement that Mr Brian van Rooyen gave to ‘The Land’ newspaper on Thursday, May 2 this year.
Mr Burke chose a most provocative setting for his announcement, a cattle station raising beasts for the live export trade. He has also travelled personally to meet with European buyers of Australian wool to explain the need for woolgrowers to protect their flocks from flystrike.
Local Bombala campaigner for farmers’ dignity in the light of attacks from animal rights extremists, Fr Mick Mac Andrew, welcomes the statement from Mr Burke.
“This Minister has chosen to go out to a farming family, to enjoy their hospitality, to meet with them personally and witness their isolated lifestyle and to assure them that he Government supports them,” Father Mick said.
“Has PETA or Animals Australia ever afforded the same respect to farmers like this? What Mr Burke now needs to do is to back up his verbal support with legislation to give the protection of Law to farmers.”
Mr Burke has an adviser who works directly on animal welfare issues. Fr Mick encourages all farmers to send in personal stories and also pleas for the much needed legislation protecting them from economic sabotage.
“Mr Troy Bramston is prompt in his replies and takes our concerns seriously, he can be e-mailed on troy.bramston@daff.gov.au,” he said.
Fr Mick is currently organising a Prayers for Farmers, Fishermen, Foresters, their families and rural communities events to be held throughout Australia on the weekend of October 5.
That date marks the anniversary on which the first Merino sheep were brought to Australia in 1797.
Bombala’s event will be held at 9am on Saturday, September 27, in the grounds adjacent to Lavender House, as Archbishop Coleridge will be in town on that day to lead the service.
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