Ontario considers bill to protect farmers from animal rights activists

Ontario's agriculture minister says he has not ruled out introducing new legislation to protect farmers from animal rights activists who trespass on their property.

A spokesman for Ernie Hardeman could not provide specific measures the government is considering but says in a statement that "nothing is off the table".

The minister says he will meet with agriculture stakeholders and people impacted by on-farm trespassing in the coming weeks.

A spokesman for Hardeman says the minister is holding the meetings to seek advice as the government formulates a strategy.

The government says trespassers put both health and safety and the integrity of the provinces' food system at risk.

In recent years, Ontario mink farmers have been the target of animal rights activists who have released hundreds of the animals from barns.