NEWS
Animal rights activists pose as USDA officials in new scheme
Anna-Lisa Laca
Farm Journal
Animal rights activists are getting more creative as they continue to target dairy farms. Recently a dairy farm in Wisconsin was the target of a new scheme where activists posed as USDA officials wanting to conduct a welfare audit.
The farm received a phone call from a woman stating she was with USDA-Animal Health Division and was demanding access to the farm to watch the farmer milk his cows to ensure they are being milked in a humane manner. The women refused to give them her name.
If you receive a call similar report there are three things to keep in mind:
- Animal welfare audits will always be conducted in partnership with your cooperative.
- If a true animal welfare concern has been called into the sheriff’s office, or the humane society, there will always be a sheriff escort.
- Anyone visiting your farm from USDA will have a badge they can show you. At a minimum ask for a business card and call someone to verify their position.
- Don’t forget, trespassing is illegal, consider getting authorities involved if necessary.
“Reprinted by permission of Farm Journal media, September 2019”
The original article appeared on the Farm Journal website.