Agriculture
21 January, 2024
Stock horror: Farm cruelty claim probe
By CHRIS EARL REPORTS to Agriculture Victoria have triggered a probe into alleged stock neglect at a Newbridge farm. Agriculture Victoria confirmed it has launched an investigation after people travelling the Wimmera Highway at Christmas took...
By CHRIS EARL
REPORTS to Agriculture Victoria have triggered a probe into alleged stock neglect at a Newbridge farm.
Agriculture Victoria confirmed it has launched an investigation after people travelling the Wimmera Highway at Christmas took photographs of dead sheep in paddocks with no grass cover.
Allegations of overstocking and lack of feed have been made about Avicenna Farm, on the corner of Wimmera Highway and Church Road.
Photographs taken from the roadside on Christmas Day and again last weekend have been provided to the department. One shows an uncovered sheep in a pit with an excavator nearby.
Agriculture Victoria last Thursday night confirmed the investigation.
“Agriculture Victoria is aware of the allegation and the matter is currently under investigation. Agriculture Victoria takes animal welfare very seriously and responds to all allegations received in accordance with the legislation and departmental procedures.”
“All complaints received by the department are taken seriously and investigated as appropriate in accordance with departmental procedures.”
One district resident told the Loddon Herald: “These animals have had no food ... and are now dropping dead in this crazy rain.
“I am sad that this may impact real farming families in the area. This is so sad,” they said.
The investigation comes after a series of alleged incidents at the farm over the past two months about management practices.
The 246-hectare property has been owned by Western Fruit and Vegetables, Tarneit, since October 2021. with Trustworthy Nominees Pty Ltd listed as the mortgagee.
Online searches have shown Avicenna Farms is part of a sheep farming and breeding program by Singapore-based HalalXpert Pte Ltd, Wonderz Pty Ltd and Malaysia-based ARK Group of Companies Pte Ltd.
Wonderz is registered at a Mickelham address with its only listed director living in Malaysia.
Avicenna’s telephone number is the same as the Queensland-based Halal Centre Australia. However that number comes up with a “incoming call restriction” message when called.
Calls to HalalXpert failed and Loddon Herald emails to the overseas businesses have not been answered.
Ark Public Farm describes itself as a “Halal competency development specialist”.
“Over the past 20 years, we have provided total halal solution to food establishments, processing plants, and ingredients suppliers, as well as importers, exporters and abattoirs,” the company says.
The company seeks investors in its “public farm program (that) offers you the chance to participate on a large-scale, a sheep farming venture.
“Our Melbourne farm in Australia sits on 860-acres land. Our farm is solely dedicated to raising sheep, fattening them and trading. Trading of the matured sheep is to generate returns for our customers.”
Goats feeding on unopened bags of potatoes and cattle have also been seen on the Newbridge property in the past month.
Agriculture Victoria says it assesses each animal cruelty investigation for the most appropriate regulatory outcome, ranging from voluntary compliance and education to warning and infringement notices and finally prosecutions for serious matters.
“A prosecution will only proceed if it is determined that there is a reasonable prospect of a conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest,” the backgrounder said.
DOZENS OF TREES CLEARED NEAR FENCE
LODDON Shire Council has started its own investigation into the removal of trees from Avicenna Farm.
Dozens of trees bordering Church Road have been pulled from the ground and are laying in paddocks, metres from the unsigned electric fences around the property where bales of hay are sitting atop shipping containers and paddocks are strewn with empty bags and container pallets.
Clumps of rocks have also been cleared in some sections of the paddocks and put into several piles.
A council spokesperson said: “Council officers have been on site and are investigating removal of native vegetation without a planning permit. The matter is ongoing, no fines have been issued.”
The Wimmera highway property is bounded by other grazing and cropping farms. and was purchased by the present owners in 2021, according to title searches.
MAN CHARGED AFTER SUMMER FIRE AT PROPERTY
A MAN has been charged with allegedly lighting a fire during a prohibited period at Avicenna Farms, Newbridge, last month.
Local fire brigades were called to the farm. Bridgewater’s Leading Senior Constable Mick Balazs said charges had been laid and would be heard at a future court sitting.
Fire restrictions have been in place across the Loddon Shire since November 13. A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the restriction period.
Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and up to 12 months jail.