Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is urging farmers to voice the impacts felt from farm crime through the Australian Farm Crime Survey.
The survey has been commissioned by the University of New England and aims to provide a comprehensive snapshot of all farm crime across Macedon Ranges and Australia.
VFF president Emma Germano said farm crime is underreported and the survey will provide invaluable insight.
“This is the first national survey to have been undertaken in two decades and the results will provide invaluable insight into farm crime across Australia,” Ms Germano said.
“Livestock theft in Victoria alone has hit a 10 year high, costing farmers a staggering $6.7 million dollars last year. We know farm crime is underreported, so the real figure could easily be much higher.
University of New England centre for rural criminology co-director Dr Alistair Harkness agreed that one of the biggest issues is reporting the crime, with a lot of farmers reluctant to report.
“[There] isn’t a sufficient national picture that’s up to date that gives us information on farm crime policing, prevention and farmers attitudes towards those things,” Dr Harkness said.
“A lot of farmers have indicated they are reluctant to report… [for] a range of reasons [including that they] won’t be taken seriously, [they are] fearful of retribution, or [have] no evidence.
“Farm crime is a real scourge and needs to be taken seriously. It is highly impactful for people socially and communities economically.”
Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group regenerative farming action group leader Alex Sims said it is important to know the risks farmers are facing.
“I think farmers above many professions are high risk targets, often they are cash poor and asset rich,” Mr Sims said.
“It’s not always easy to keep tabs on equipment and keep it locked up… [and] it’s in our best interest to know what risks farmers are facing in terms of theft.
“Given the nature of the work, you are often in remote locations on a lot of land [and] equipment is costly… I think [theft] is something that is always going to be there.”
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