Activist farm map could face big penalties

Animal activists behind a controversial map of farmers' addresses and contact details could face fines of up to $420,000.

The Morrison government has put the Aussie Farms website under privacy laws, exposing it to penalties after repeatedly calling for it to take down details which could expose producers to trespass and biosecurity risks.

"The farming families who grow our food deserve to be able to do so without fear of invasion on their property and harm to their children," Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said on Friday.

Aussie Farms was not covered by the Privacy Act because its annual turnover is less than $3 million, until an intervention from Attorney-General Christian Porter.

The activist group will be prescribed as an organisation under the law from Saturday, which requires them to comply regardless of turnover.

"The company publishes information about Australian farmers and agricultural producers including their names and addresses, exposing them to potential trespass, biosecurity hazards, and reputational damage," Mr Porter said.

The group argues publishing the map and farmers' contact details is aimed at giving the public as much information as possible about potential cruelty in agriculture.