THE SA livestock industry is calling for amendments to the state's trespass legislation to help protect farmers from activists and stock theft - a request that has prompted the state government to hold a meeting between industry stakeholders and SA Police to discuss the issue.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone said farm trespassing was unsettling and an invasion of privacy.
"It is an unnecessary risk to the biosecurity of farms and primary production," he said.
"In SA, penalties of up to six months imprisonment can apply for trespass on farms, so if higher penalties are needed, then this can be considered by all state and territory ag ministers.
"But, the first priority is to ensure the police and courts treat farm invasion as the serious crime it is."
SA Dairyfarmers' Association policy officer John Elferink said SADA had called for an "overhaul" of the Summary Offences Act (SA) 1953, in particular Section 17A.
"This section deals with general trespass that allows a property owner to ask a trespasser to leave and if they return within 24 hours, an offence has been committed," he said.
"What we will be recommending to the state government is to allow a farmer the capacity to issue a banning notice to a person that enters their farm without consent for two years.
"Trespass laws across the country are a patchwork of inconsistency - the NT has an act dedicated exclusively to trespassing, while SA has trespass rules scattered through two pieces of legislation."
Mr Elferink said while he did not anticipate a national approach for trespass legislation, he would welcome it.
Livestock SA president Joe Keynes said amendments to the state's trespass laws were needed, but not to just address issues with animal activists.
"We cannot target animal activism because it is also about livestock theft," he said.
"Whatever the intent of the trespass, farmers should have the ability to deter people from entering their properties.
"Activists have merely highlighted the trespassing issue and changes might be a tool to help protect farmers."
Point Pass piggery owner Roger Schutz was concerned about potential trespassers and believed tougher consequences and greater options for farmers to stop trespassers were needed.
"Because of our Australian Pork Industry Quality Assurance Program requirements, we have a sign on the fence that says no entry to unauthorised persons," he said.
"So, if someone enters our farm without consent, why is it not trespassing?
"I cannot enter a person's home in Adelaide so why is it different on my farm? It is still an invasion of privacy."
