WELLINGTON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Justice Minister Andrew Little introduced a supplementary order paper (SOP) on the Crimes Amendment Bill on Tuesday to crack down on livestock rustling or theft of livestock from farms or property.
The SOP proposes two new offences to be added to the Crimes Act, including theft of livestock or other animal, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
Another new offence is unlawful entry to land used for agricultural purposes, where the offender intends to steal livestock or act unlawfully against specified things, such as buildings or machinery, on that land. That offence carries up to 10 years imprisonment.
Federated Farmers estimates the cost of theft of livestock to the farming community at more than 120 million NZ dollars (82.7 million U.S. dollars) every year, and a survey indicates about a quarter of their members had stock stolen in the last five years.
"The coalition government has listened to farmers and rural communities. Farmers have told us about the toll the scourge of livestock rustling is having on their livelihoods and quality of life," Little said in a statement.
The government recognizes the contribution farmers and rural people make to New Zealand and the economy, Little said, adding their contributions should not be undermined by the theft of their livestock.
"This particular SOP requires agreement of every MP to be considered at Committee Stage," the minister said.
