VFF Acting President Peter Star said the decision recognised that firearms were part of everyday life for Victorian farmers.
"Victorian farmers use firearms as an essential tool of trade for pest animal control, livestock protection and maintaining our leading animal welfare and biosecurity standards," Mr Star said.
"The decision not to introduce an arbitrary cap on firearm numbers is a sensible one that acknowledges the operational needs of primary producers."
The Rapid Review into Victoria’s Firearm Laws, led by Ken Lay and commissioned by the Allan Government following the Bondi terror attack, recommended a base cap of four Category A and B firearms per individual licence holder.
While the review did propose an exemption pathway for primary producers, allowing up to 10 firearms where a compelling need could be demonstrated, the VFF argued the framework remained unworkable for many farming operations.
Primary producers told the review they regularly operate across large geographic areas and multiple properties, requiring firearms to be stored at different locations for safe and practical use.
Different firearms are also needed for different tasks, from rabbit and fox control to managing deer, wild dogs and feral pigs.
With about 39,600 primary producer licence holders in Victoria, the majority in regional and rural areas, the VFF said any cap, even with exemptions, risked creating red tape and administrative burdens with little meaningful relationship to community safety outcomes.
Mr Star said the VFF was the only organisation directly representing farmers during the rapid review consultation and worked hard to ensure agricultural voices were heard.
"We advocated strongly to ensure farmers were heard, and it is pleasing to see the government acknowledge concerns that a firearm cap could have created unintended consequences for agriculture," he said.
The Firearm Traders Association of Victoria also welcomed the outcome, noting that Victoria already operated under some of the country's strictest firearms regulation, including rigorous background checks, secure storage requirements and continuous compliance obligations for all licensed owners.
The association said law-abiding firearm users, including primary producers and pest controllers, should not be unfairly burdened by additional red tape.
Mr Star said the VFF fully supported measures that kept communities safe and kept firearms out of the wrong hands.
"Farmers understand the importance of responsible firearm ownership and maintaining strong safety standards,“ Mr Star said.
"However, any new requirements around licensing, storage, training or compliance must be workable for people living and working in regional and rural Victoria."
The VFF said questions remained around firearm reclassification, ongoing competency requirements and licensing costs, and pledged to continue engaging with government.
The Ken Lay review made 15 other recommendations, all of which have been taken up by the Victorian Government.
