Extremist Attacks on Global Food Chain Increase 77% in 2007
Include Death Threats, Arson, Theft, "Ratting" and More
Attacks on the global food chain from animal rights and environmental extremists jumped 78% 2007 from 87 in 2006 to 155 in 2007, indicated Arlington, Virginia-based Animal Agriculture Alliance (Alliance). Worse yet, though attacks on US farmers and ranchers dropped from 23 to 5, claimed attacks on US food retailers from groups like the Animal Liberation Front nearly doubled from 5 in 2006 to 9 in 2007. Additionally there were a number of unclaimed attacks directed both at farms and retailers.

The Alliance indicated that Bite Back magazine was its main source for compiling data on terrorist acts claimed by Animal Liberation Front (ALF), Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and DBF, a branch of ALF found in Sweden and the Netherlands. But independent media reports and state agriculture groups also provided critical information.

The information compiled by the Alliance showed that there were 467 acts of sabotage, vandalism and arson claimed by ALF, ELF and DBF in 2007, up from 433 in 2006. The overall level of extremist attacks in the USA on businesses that use animals - including medical research, consumer product safety, pets, circuses, rodeos, fur shops, hunting stores, farmers, ranchers, food retailers - remained steady at 44. But a troubling development is the near doubling of attacks on food retailers. Attacks on American retailers of animal products, including food and fur, doubled from 8 to 16.

Destruction or defacement of property - especially smashing windows and equipment - were the two most frequently used techniques used by extremist groups in their attempts to coerce food chain businesses to shut down. But a new technique, dubbed "ratting" - the intentional introduction of rat feces into a restaurant then calling health authorities - was introduced this year.

In terms of terrorist activities, extremist groups combined to claim hundreds of separate terrorist acts, including:
arson;
death threats;
paint bombs;
theft;
defacing churches;
firebombing autos and trucks;
issuing bomb threats;
product tampering hoaxes;
acid etching of windows;
gluing locks;
paint stripping cars;
slashing tires;
flooding facilities; and
damaging equipment.

Extremists claimed responsibility for the "liberation" of thousands of animals during the year, and millions of dollars in damage. Germany appears to be an emerging center for animal rights terrorism. On March 26, 2007, ALF in Germany claimed responsibility for one fire causing millions of dollars in damages at Tierbefreier, a meat processor. ALF also demanded that the meat processor, known for its bratwurst, close.

On August 8, 2007, more troubling news emerged from Germany as a radical animal rights splinter group, Maqi, stole chickens from a free range egg farm. In their communiqué, Maqi leader Jonas Fisher said, "...'free-range husbandry' means suffering and death like all others."

"The communiqué about stealing hens from a free range hen farm should be a wake-up call for any person that believes animal rights extremists care about animal welfare," said Kay Johnson-Smith, Executive Vice President for the Animal Agriculture Alliance. "The message is loud and clear that the agenda of these groups is focused solely on the destruction of animal agriculture. Worse yet, the actions being perpetrated in Germany demonstrate that the disturbing trend of attacking the food chain - from agriculture to the restaurant - is only going to get worse."

A statement after an ALF attack in Utah referring to the recently passed Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) reinforced Johnson-Smith's warning. The communication read, "This new animal enterprise law means NOTHING. If you haven't got that point already, we're confident by the year's end that you'll have figured that one out. We're willing to risk our lives and freedom to defeat you."

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