‘Soy diet’ fears for goats

Protesters infiltrated the Caldermeade Farm milking area. 186555_01

By Rowan Forster

The owner of Caldermeade Farm & Cafe fears five baby goats kid-napped from his rural nursery could be forced onto a diet of soy and almond milk by their “radical” captors, jeopardising their lives.

It comes after 50 vegan activists stormed the South Gippsland Highway Farm on Friday, 12 October in a demonstration that prompted police intervention.

Proprietor John Gommans claimed that during the protest, one liberationist repeatedly expressed concern about one of his beloved goats, Salt.

“It was about one week old and they thought it should look different,” he said.

“The next morning at 4.30am, a car has come to the front gate and Salt was removed from the pen,” he said.

In the following days, four more goats mysteriously went missing.

Mr Gommans said he was concerned for the welfare of the animals, which were fed their mother’s milk up to five times a day and cared for by two vets.

“We hate to think they’re being fed soy or almond milk,” he said.

“That would just be catastrophic for them.”

Another farmer from Caldermeade, Anne, spoke out about the incident.

She alleged the vegan protesters infiltrated the café’s milking pen – which is off-limits to the public.

“These protestors landed here and started coming into our dairy parlour, which is out of bounds to the public and a biohazard risk,” she said.

“The protestors commented on the goats and how they were stolen from their mothers.

“We don’t have a problem with people expressing their views, but this is different.”

Police have confirmed receiving reports of livestock theft, but maintained that the protest was “peaceful”.

The farm and cafe accommodates about 500 jersey cows and 150 calves along with alpacas and ducks.

Marketed as a “happy farm”, the business invites the public to tour the land and view the animals.

Joanne Lee, from the Animal Liberation group, denied that activists had involvement in the goat heist.

“We were there to protest, not to steal any animals,” she said.

“They accused some of the protesters of coming back and taking a goat but I have no knowledge of that.

“We wanted to speak up and stand in solidarity with the animals – It’s not about attacking the people that work there.”

The business has published a post about the theft on Facebook, inciting fierce debate and garnering more than 1500 shares.

Anyone with information should contact Pakenham Police on 5945 2500.