Alberta getting tough on farm trespassers

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

The Alberta government has promised it will act to protect farmers from aggressive, illegal protests.
The announcement comes on the heels of trespassing and protests held at the Jumbo Valley Hutterite Colony near Fort Macleod, Alta.
Not only has the government announced new protections for farmers against trespassing, they are introducing legislation designed to punish illegal protestors who invade farms.
“Alberta’s farmers and ranchers treat their animals well, and they have a right to run their operations without illegal harassment from militant trespassers,” said Premier Jason Kenney on Oct. 3 at the Jumbo Valley Hutterite Colony.
Options being proposed include: fines up to $10,000 for a first offence and up to $25,000 for subsequent offences for individuals and up to $200,000 for organizations, and imprisonment of up to six months; amending the Animal Health Act so farmers affected by bio-security breaches can recover their costs, and so trespassers and protesters placing biosecurity at risk can be fined $15,000 for first offences, then $30,000 plus imprisonment of up to one year for repeat offences; amending the Provincial Offences Procedures Act to increase the maximum amount of compensation awarded by the court from $25,000 to $100,000.
Animal activists organized themselves via word of mouth to conduct what they called a “liberation lockdown” for turkeys at Jumbo Valley Hutterite Colony on Sept. 2. About 90 people entered the colony’s turkey operation in the early morning; about 30 sat inside a barn filled with live turkeys and another 60 held signs along nearby Highway 2 asking for animal liberation and an end to species-ism.
Alberta’s Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen denounced the protesters’ actions on his Twitter account, saying that “hardworking farmers and ranchers shouldn’t have to deal with harassment” from such groups.
“Farmers shouldn’t have to worry about people entering their workplace, interfering with their lives or threatening the health of their animals,” said Dreeshen on Oct. 3. “This incident made it clear our farmers need stronger protection. We will act to protect our farms and ranches from radical activists.”
On top of the illegality of trespassing, unauthorized or improper entry on farms and in barns can introduce disease and threaten the health and welfare of animals. It can also have a detrimental impact on business operations and on the well-being of farm families.
The Alberta government stated that it is also funding 50 new crown prosecutors to be tougher on criminal behaviour.
“Alberta’s farmers need to have confidence that their government stands with them and will work to keep them safe,” Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. “The measures we are proposing will send a loud and clear message to fanatics that trespassing on farmers’ property to disrupt their ability to operate is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
The RCMP continues to investigate the incident at the Jumbo Valley Hutterite Colony.