Militant vegans are charged with trespassing and drug offences

Militant vegans are charged with trespassing and drug offences after they ‘stormed an abattoir and a feedlot’ on a national day of action

  • 11 animal rights activists have been charged with trespassing and drug offences
  • The activists allegedly stormed an abattoir and a feedlot in March and April 
  • The campaigners were arrested on Tuesday and are facing a total of 18 charges 

A group of militant vegans have been charged with trespassing and drug offences after they allegedly stormed an abattoir and a feedlot on a national day of action.  

A total of 11 animal rights campaigners have been accused of staging protests at the Yangan abattoir and a Millmerran feedlot in Queensland in March and early April. 

The activists, who were arrested on Tuesday, are facing 18 charges. 

Animal rights activists have been charged after allegedly staging protests at the Yangan abattoir (pictured)

Militant vegans at the Lemontree Feedlot in Millmerran (pictured) have been charged for allegedly storming the place in April

 Militant vegans at the Lemontree Feedlot in Millmerran (pictured) have been charged for allegedly storming the place in April 

Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker said the charges followed formal complaints from the owners of properties targeted by unauthorised protests. 

‘The Queensland Police Service respects the right of people to protest in a peaceful manner, however we have a duty to ensure the safety of protesters, farm workers and property owners,’ he said. 

‘Unauthorised protests in and around farmlands and industrial areas create significant personal and workplace safety risks.’ 

‘We will take enforcement action whenever necessary to ensure the safety of the community and to protect the rights of people to feel safe in their homes and at their place of work.’ 

The protests were part of a national campaign by vegans against the treatment of animals. 

Lot feeder David McNamee told Daily Mail Australia the vegans were threatening the safety of his livestock and family (pictured: protesters entering Lemontree Feedlot)

Lot feeder David McNamee told Daily Mail Australia the vegans were threatening the safety of his livestock and family (pictured: protesters entering Lemontree Feedlot)

In March, about 150 activists stormed the Millmerran Lemontree Feedlot in March as a distressed farmer looked on. 

Lot feeder David McNamee later told Daily Mail Australia the vegans were threatening the safety of his livestock and family.  

About 20 animal activists allegedly chained themselves at the Yangan abattoir in early April.  

The Queensland Government have been prompted to draft new laws to allow police and Agricultural officers to fine activists whose activities risk the lives of farmers, workers and animals.      

The Queensland Government have been prompted to draft new laws to allow police and Agricultural officers to fine activists whose activities risk the lives of farmers, workers and animals (pictured: protesters at Lemontree Feedlot)

The Queensland Government have been prompted to draft new laws to allow police and Agricultural officers to fine activists whose activities risk the lives of farmers, workers and animals (pictured: protesters at Lemontree Feedlot) 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk