COLUMBUS - An ecoterrorism cell known as "the Family" had a goal – attack businesses that it believed were abusing the environment or animals. From 1996 to 2001, the group of activists allegedly set 15 fires in several Western states, including at a tree farm, meatpacking plant and horse corrals, according to federal prosecutors. The damage estimate was $45 million.
It took federal officials five years to make any arrests in this highly publicized case of eccoterrorism, which authorities say is on the rise. The FBI estimates that eco- and animal rights activists have caused more than $200 million in damage in recent years.
To help farmers and agribusinesses become more aware of the threats from activists and international terrorists, a Midwest anti-terrorism course will be held in Columbus on Oct. 17 and 18. The Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC), of which Ohio Farm Bureau is a member, and partnered with the Animal Agriculture Alliance and Law Enforcement Academic Research Network, Inc. to host the two-day course, "Managing Activist/Terrorist Threats to the Food, Agricultural and Animal Industries: A Common Sense Approach."
OLC Director David White said the course is hands-on and will teach participants how to determine credible threats to staff facilities and the public; collect intelligence on those threats, and develop practical threat management plants to prevent violence.
To register for the course or learn more about it, visit OLC’s Web site, www.ohiolivestock.org. The cost is $450 per person and registrations must be submitted in advance of the course.
Source: http://www.ofbf.org/page/NWAN-6T4MXV/?OpenDocument
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