Congressman Addresses Wisconsin Farmers and Concerned Citizens at Safe Farms Support Rally

By Teresa Platt, Executive Director, FCUSA

Congressman Thomas E. Petri joined over 250 Wisconsin farmers and other concerned citizens at a Safe Farms Support Rally Thursday, August 26. The Rally was held at the scene of the August 9 $1.5 million animal rights/eco-terror arson fire at United Feeds.

United Feeds mill is a mink farmers' agricultural feed co-op in Plymouth, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. The feed mill processes over 30 million pounds annually of agricultural by-products from the dairy, beef, poultry and fishing industries. Wisconsin is the nation's leading dairy state and mink-producing state.

Congressman Petri addressed the crowd of men, women and children, which gathered under the shade of a towering tree against the backdrop of the charred remains of United Feeds. The working people took time off from work and traveled from all over the state of Wisconsin, from Illinois and one couple had driven five hours from their farm in Iowa.

The citizens held signs saying, "Farmers for Safe Farms", "Farmers Demand Justice", and "No More Terror!"

Congressman Petri praised the fur farmers for having a business which not only produces an organic clothing product but offers an "environmentally sound solution" to the problem of waste from our food production.

On the issue of terrorist attacks on the agricultural community, the Congressman roundly condemned the crimes and pledged his "full political support" to ensure farms are made safe again.

Lil Meerstein of the Sheboygan County Conservation Association presented the Congressman with a pledge of $1,000 from her organization for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the fire at United Feeds and/or the release of domesticated animals from fur farms in the area.

The Conservation Association has over 3,000 members in the area, and it was some of these members, along with hundreds of other good neighbors, who helped recover mink from two fur farms that were attacked the same week of the arson at United Feeds. Although over 5,000 mink were released on two occasions less than a week apart, fewer than 100 animals were still unaccounted for. Ms. Meerstein commented on the cruelty of releasing domesticated animals to the wild and stated in the Sheboygan Press, "Released mink can't survive in the wild."

Earlier in the day, the farmers addressed the State Assembly Agriculture Committee which also pledged support. Assemblywoman Barbara Gronemus, who introduced and helped pass a bill in the Assembly to increase penalties for releasing domesticated animals, spoke to the group, urging them to continue their efforts.

Teresa Platt of Fur Commission USA, a non-profit association representing over 600 fox and mink farming families on over 400 farms in 31 states, helped organize the Safe Farms Support Rally and spoke before the Agriculture Committee and at the Rally.

"Terrorism against resource providers is all too common in America," she said. "Animal rights terrorists and eco-terrorists have struck small family farms, food producers, research scientists, loggers, miners, the recreation industry and many others! The Safe Farms Support Rally is the farmers' way of saying 'Enough is Enough! We want safe farms again!'"

In February, in response to such attacks, the FBI moved domestic terrorism up its list of priority issues. Several states, including Wisconsin(1), have introduced legislation aimed at increasing penalties for those who release domesticated livestock. Idaho recently passed such a bill.

At the Federal level, Senators Hatch and Feinstein have introduced legislation to establish a clearinghouse on crimes against resource providers as well as increased penalties and greater support for law enforcement in fighting these types of crimes.

Note:
(1) Wisconsin State Representative Barbara Gronemus has introduced legislation that would increase the penalty for the unauthorized release of animals to a Class C felony and make the offender liable for damages and attorney fees. The bill has passed the Assembly and is awaiting Senate action. Click here to download the bill in PDF format.

See also:

Wisconsin Mink Farmers to Improve Security Measures After Vandalism Wisconsin State Journal. Reproduced with permission; Aug. 14, 1999.

Mink Break-In, Feed Mill Fire Reasons for More Punishment for Animal Rights Terrorists Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation press release; Aug. 12, 1999.

Animal-Use Abolitionists Continue 1999 Road Trip of Vandalism and Arson; Farmers Demand Action (HTML or PDF) FCUSA press release; Aug. 9, 1999.

Animal Rights Terrorists Vandalize Wisconsin Farm : 3,000 Domesticated Mink Released FCUSA press release; Aug. 3, 1999.

Stiffer Laws for Releasing Animals Sought From the Daily Press (Escanaba, Michigan). Reproduced with permission; July 20, 1999.

Congressional Testimony of FCUSA Executive Director Teresa Platt to the Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, Oversight Hearing on "Public and Private Resource Management And Protection Issues in the National Forest Systems" with particular reference to animal rights terrorism and eco-terrorism. (May, 1999)

Engaging Political Will (HTML or PDF) Animal rights terrorism moves up FBI priority list; FCUSA commentary on animal rights / eco-terrorism; Mar. 4, 1999.

Should Conflict Generation Be Rewarded by Non-Profit Benefits? Teresa Platt of FCUSA takes a look at the activites of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. (November 1997)

Report to Congress on the Extent and Effects of Domestic and International Terrorism on Animal Enterprises. Prepared by the Department of Justice. (September 1993)

Teresa Platt, executive director of Fur Commission USA, represents 400 mink-farming families, and serves on the board of the National Animal Interest Alliance and as secretary of Alliance for America, groups working to restore people and common sense to the environmental equation.

For further information contact: Teresa Platt, Executive Director, Fur Commission USA, PMB 506, 826 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118-2698 USA, (619) 575-0139, (619) 575-5578/fax, furfarmers@aol.com, www.furcommission.com.

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