There is disbelief and dismay among livestock producers at the news the greyhound racing ban has passed Parliament this week.
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Fears that anti-racing campaigners would now turn their sights on other animal-related industries became more real after the controversial bill passed 49 votes to 30 late Tuesday night.
One cattle breeder said activists were now “finished with them [greyhound racers] and they’re going to start on someone else” – namely, other animal sports and livestock industries.
Despite great resistance from the racing industry, weeks of public debate, and three Nationals MPs – including member for Barwon Kevin Humphries – crossing the floor to vote against it, the Greyhound Racing Prohibition Bill will come into force on July 1, 2017.
Many people who use animals in food and fibre production are now concerned the same groups who went after racing will now use the same arguments to come after them.
Agvac Santa Gertrudis stud owner Vicki Cherry said she was “absolutely” shocked at the news.
“What’s next? Are they going to start on the horse industry?” she said.
“I totally disagree with it. I think everyone that has animals looks after them as well as they can, regardless of what they are.”
Mrs Cherry said she thought the main opponents of racing were “greenies and do-gooders” disconnected from the reality of country life and agriculture.
“You’re not going to ill-treat your animals when they’re your livelihood. My grandfather used to have greyhounds, and he treated them like his babies – they were racing dogs but they were well-looked-after, well-fed.”
Boolarong stud’s Robin Hooper said she’d been watching the issue closely and was “really disappointed to think it has gone ahead”.
“Unfortunately, the flow-on from this could affect a lot of different types of industries,” she said. “The majority of people on the land are concerned about that.”
The flow-on from this could affect a lot of different types of industries.
- Robin Hooper
Mrs Hooper feared the passing of the bill “could be the thin edge of the wedge”.
“It could easily spread.
“There’s rotten eggs in every basket isn’t there? They’re the ones that should be wearing this, not everyone else.”