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.”
Boolarong stud’s Robin Hooper feared this “could be the thin edge of the wedge”.
“Unfortunately, the flow-on from this could affect a lot of different types of industries,” she said.