Social media posts shared thousands of times in multiple languages ​​since May 13, 2022 claim that a law passed in Australia would seek to ban the population. “Grow your own food”, However, the above bill is still pending. The government of the Australian state of Victoria, located in the south-east of the country, confirmed to AFP that the text does not have a national scope and does not include the ban cited in the viral allegations.

“The network is broadcast on: Agenda 2030/NOM! IMPORTANT!! Australian Prime Minister Dan Andrews passed a law banning growing your own food.An excerpt from the content posted on Facebook says (1, Of them) and Twitter (1, Of them, 3,

Some Works share a link article Title, in free translation from Spanish: “Australia: Authorities pass law banning people from growing their own food”,

Screenshot of a Facebook post taken on May 20, 2022 (./)

According to the text, the Australian Parliament of the State of Victoria, located in the south-east of the country, would have approved an agricultural law which would allow the expansion of the powers of the Order. “Search property and people without a court order, increase fines from $1,800 to $10,000 for providing false or misleading information”,

Similar allegations have also been circulating Spanish, French And English,

However, the text of Project cites no restrictions on growing food for own consumption and its contents are viewable in full site of the Parliament of Victoria.

“Changes introduced [por esta legislação] They don’t prevent anyone from growing their own food. They aim to support the agricultural sector, which represents more than 17 billion dollars a year for the economy of the State and [gera] More than 67,100 jobs »A Victorian government spokesman told AFP.

Consulted by AFP, a spokesperson for the Vittoria parliament denied the veracity of the content shared on the social network: “The claim that the Farm Bill prohibits growing your own food is false”,

What does the bill say?

“Project 2022 to modify the agricultural legislation” It was first presented to the Parliament of Vitoria on April 5, 2022. The text proposes amendments to 11 laws, some of which were enacted in the 1980s and 1990s. These amendments would aim to improve “Efficacy, Methodology, Governance and Compliance” law, said the president of the Parliament of Vitoria, Jacinta Allen, during second parliamentary readingApril 6, 2022.

“Globalization and expanding trade have increased Vittoria’s exposure to biosecurity risks and increased the number of new intrusions into the state. The Amendments create new violations and impose new requirements to address these risks, , Managing risks associated with weeds and pests »Jacinta Allen said during her presentation.

During the parliamentary debate on May 3, 2022, the theory On the website of the Vittoria parliament, opposition MP Roma Brittanel defended some elements of the project:

“Indeed, some of these amendments are positive, such as allowing authorized authorities to better investigate incidents to prevent the invasion of harmful plants or certain animal infectious diseases or biosecurity problems.”They said.

Britnell says change will help deal with similar outbreaks “We are currently living with Japanese encephalitis”A viral disease spread by mosquito bites.

As of May 20, 2022, the project was still Processing In the local parliament, after being approved by the lower house.

“Procrastination” and “Misinterpretation”

In response to widespread rumors that Australian citizens will be banned from growing their own food, Victoria’s Department of Agriculture has debunked this and other misleading claims in one go. section from its official website.

“The amendments will not destroy crops, nor prevent people from growing their own food”The organization said.

Similarly, Vittoria Farmers Union (VFF) explained Release Posted May 6, 2022 “Faulty information about the project suggests that authorized officers would be able to search without a court order, without the owner’s consent and without the need to identify themselves”which, according to the agency, means a “Tergarvation” is “misinterpretation” Basic lesson.

In early May 2022, Australia joined other major agricultural powers, including the European Union, the United States and Canada, in tackling the issues that guarantee global food security. Reason From the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

“We are committed to working together to ensure there is enough food for all, including the poorest, most vulnerable and displaced people,” wrote the 51 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) . joint release See you on March 6.