Mr Hanheuser, a self-proclaimed animal activist, was today ordered in the Federal High Court in Melbourne to recover the costs of contaminating the Portland sheep feedlot in 2003.

Mr Hanheuser was ordered to pay the fine to Samex exporters for delaying the a shipment of 1694 live sheep from the Port of Portland, destined for the Middle East, by putting shredded ham in food and water containers from which the sheep were intended to drink.

Federal Court judge Peter Gray ordered Mr Hahnheauser to recover the costs and outlined a sum of $72,873.

But this fee is expected to increase when final damages are settled in court this week.

Under the Commonwealth Trade Practices Act 1974, contravention of an injunctive nature is not allowed.

In handing down his decision Justice Gray said the consequence of Mr Hanhheuser’s actions left Samex with 1694 sheep which could not be exported.

The ruling was applauded by Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) president Andrew Broad, who said the decision sent a clear message to radical environmental activists that that Australian farmers would not succumb to acts of intimidation.

"This case is a win not only for livestock producers, but for all Australian agricultural industries," Mr Broad said.

"Every Australian farmer can now feel confident that the Trade Practice Act is on their side in preventing similar acts of agricultural terrorism in the future."

The VFF has been vocal in its support for the applicants in this case through the Australian Farmers Fighting Fund over the last five and half year.

"This decision is about protecting Australia's $1.8 billion live export industry, but it's more than just that," Mr Broad said.

"It's about sending a message to radical environmental activists and agricultural terrorists that extreme behavior and holding farmers to ransom will not work."

The Federal Court action was brought against Mr Hahnheuser under the secondary boycott provisions of the Trade Practices Act.