Activists who illegally enter farms in New South Wales are about to be hit with fines of up to $440,000 and potential time in prison.

Key points: Tightened biosecurity laws in NSW will come into effect on August 1 with the aim of cracking down on activists and vigilantes that trespass onto farming properties

Tightened biosecurity laws in NSW will come into effect on August 1 with the aim of cracking down on activists and vigilantes that trespass onto farming properties People who illegally trespass onto farms will face on-the-spot fines of $1,000 and there will be the potential of jail time and fines of up to $440,000

People who illegally trespass onto farms will face on-the-spot fines of $1,000 and there will be the potential of jail time and fines of up to $440,000 The Federal Government is also expected to pass its own farm trespass laws in the next two weeks

The NSW Government has announced a major shake-up of the Biosecurity Act, which will see trespassers handed an on-the-spot fine starting at $1,000.

The Federal Government has asked the states and territories to work with it to beef up farm trespass laws after a spate of activism on farms and abattoirs in the past 18 months.

"Today the Government is putting these vigilantes and thugs on notice," NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said.

"Your time threatening the agriculture industry and hardworking farmers is over.

"NSW will have the toughest laws anywhere in Australia for people that illegally trespass onto farmers' properties."

Under the new laws, to come into effect on August 1, people who illegally trespass onto farming properties will face an on-the-spot fine of $1,000.

There will also be the potential for fines of up to $220,000 for individuals, and $400,000 for groups and corporations.

"We've seen a disturbing increase in vigilante behaviour where individuals and groups have taken upon themselves to trespass onto farmers' land and threaten the biosecurity on the property," Mr Marshall said.

"We want to send the strongest possible message to people to think again.

"This is just the first part of a broader package of reforms the Government is working on, and jail time will be included in further legislation we are looking at.

"It's about farmers having the right to farm in this state."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was expected the Federal Government would be able to pass its own farm trespass laws in the next two weeks.

The laws would increase penalties for trespassers and make it an offence to use the internet to incite people to enter farms illegally.

Edwina Beveridge says protesters have been on her farm several times in recent years. ( ABC Rural: Tim Fookes )

Farmer welcomes tougher penalties

The owner of a NSW pig farm, which has been the target of protesters for several years, is welcoming the new penalties.

Blantyre Farms, near Young, was broken into 10 times in 2014 and surveillance cameras were hidden in the ceilings, leading to photos being published on the internet.

"A lot of the images posted online have been taken out of context leading to me being harassed and targeted on social media," said Blantyre Farms owner Edwina Beveridge.

"I've had death threats against me, there have been threats to burn our farm down, we've had a very nasty time.

"Protesters have the right to protest, they just need to do it in the right way but breaking into people's farms isn't right.

"On-the-spot fines sound like a good way to deter people breaking the law, but it needs to be followed through in the court process.

"I'm really pleased the Government is trying to help us."

A 'smokescreen' for cruelty: Aussie Farms

Each icon on the Aussie Farms map is clickable and provides more information on each listed property. ( Image: Aussie Farms )

The group Aussie Farms, which is behind an online map sharing the details of thousands of Australian farmers, has issued a statement criticising the NSW Government's proposed penalties.

"Once again, the issue of biosecurity is being used as an excuse to attempt to limit consumer awareness of the systemic cruelty occurring in farms and slaughterhouses across the country," said Aussie Farms executive director Chris Delforce.

He said there had not been any incidents of biosecurity hazards caused by activists, despite hundreds of activist-led investigations into farms and slaughterhouses during the past 40 years.

"Clearly, these protest actions are being used as a smokescreen to stem the tide of footage and photographs, which have been, for many years, a source of great embarrassment and reputation damage for industries that engage in commercialised animal cruelty," Mr Delforce said.