Increasing animal rights activism could raise insurance issues for farms, abattoirs and other food-chain producers, Gallagher has warned.

Protesters have chained themselves to equipment, invaded properties and businesses, stolen livestock and blocked a major Melbourne intersection in a wave of activity that culminated with simultaneous demonstrations earlier this month.

Gallagher National Head of Food Production Stephen Elms says the broker has been talking with clients about the risk, with more vegan protests a possibility.

“While we have seen it this last month in Australia, it is a global push as well and I don’t think they will go away,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“Certainly, they have a bigger voice than maybe we all appreciated, and I think it will be an ongoing issue.”

Mr Elms says off-the-shelf business and farm insurance packs are not designed for such events and more bespoke solutions are required.

The broker has developed its own endorsement for impacts such as protracted lockouts or extended property invasions, but he says such solutions are not widely seen in the market.

Activist group Aussie Farms in January produced an online map with details of “factory farms, slaughterhouses and other animal exploitation facilities”, and the National Farmers’ Federation says an increase in activity has followed its publication.

The Federal Government has moved to close a Privacy Act loophole that allowed publication of the details and last week the Coalition said if it is re-elected next month it will introduce tougher punishments for those who incite farm invasions.

In a blog post titled Vegans at the Gates, Gallagher notes diets excluding animal products are becoming more popular. Swiss food giant Nestle expects its vegan business to reach $US1 billion ($1.4 billion) in 10 years.

Nearly 2.25 million Australians are now vegetarian or nearly vegetarian, according to Roy Morgan research. Market research group Euromonitor International says the country is the fastest-growing vegan market behind the United Arab Emirates and China.