We’ve welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision not to proceed with a cap on firearm numbers for primary producers, describing it as a sensible and practical outcome for Victorian farmers who use firearms as an agricultural tool of trade.
VFF Acting President Peter Star said the decision recognised the realities of farming and the legitimate role firearms play in agricultural businesses across Victoria.
“Victorian farmers use firearms as an essential tool of trade for pest animal control, livestock protection and maintaining our leading animal welfare and biosecurity standards.”
“The decision not to introduce an arbitrary cap on firearm numbers is a sensible one that acknowledges the operational needs of primary producers,” Mr Star said.
Mr Star said the VFF had worked throughout the review process to ensure farmers and regional communities had a strong voice in discussions around proposed reforms.
“The VFF was the only organisation directly representing farmers during consultation on the rapid review and we made it a point that any reforms must recognise the unique needs of agriculture and regional Victoria.”
“We advocated strongly to ensure farmers were heard and it is pleasing to see the government acknowledge concerns that a firearm cap could have created unintended consequences for agriculture.”
Mr Star said the VFF fully supports measures that strengthen community safety and keep firearms out of the wrong hands, provided changes do not place unreasonable costs, red-tape or administrative burdens on legitimate firearm users such as farmers.
“Farmers understand the importance of responsible firearm ownership and maintaining strong safety standards. It’s not lost on us the reason why these reforms were flagged in the first place and we fully back the need to keep the community safe. However, any new requirements around licensing, storage, training or compliance must be practical, proportionate and workable for people living and working in regional and rural Victoria.”
“There are still important questions around reclassification, ongoing competency requirements, licensing costs and how some recommendations will operate in practice.”
“The VFF will continue engaging with government to ensure farmers remain part of the conversation and that future reforms are developed with genuine consultation and not just lumped on regional communities,” Mr Star said.