The Animal Agriculture Alliance has issued an alert regarding a “Right to Rescue” tour stop happening in Tonawanda, N.Y., an area just north of Buffalo, this Saturday, April 15. The gathering is being held by the animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere (DXE), who is known for undercover investigations and trespassing to steal animals, what they refer to as “open rescues.”

While this event is slated for western New York, it’s a good reminder for everyone to review best management practices in terms of on-farm security.

  • Ask your employees to keep their eyes and ears open for anything unusual – people they don’t recognize walking around the farm or in areas they shouldn’t be.
  • Consider posting “No Trespassing” signs.
  • If someone does gain access to your farm, alert law enforcement officials immediately. Do not attempt to engage. A visual of a police officer stopping them demonstrates they are breaking the law. A visual of a dairy farmer stopping them says, “Get off of my property,” and could be positioned to make you look like the bad guy.

This is also a good time to review your hiring and training practices, such as checking references and documenting that your employees have been instructed how to complete important farm protocols and procedures.

We understand these activist claims are upsetting and frustrating for everyone involved in the dairy industry. The best way you can help drown out the negativity is by not contributing to it, such as referencing it or tagging the activist group in social media posts – those actions work to draw more attention and eyeballs to the group and their videos.

Please continue to positively tell the story of the care and concern you show for your farm – animals and employees – every single day. If you see others in the industry sharing information that draws attention to the activist activity (for example, on a social media site), please message them privately and ask them not to do so.

ADA North East will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as available. If you have questions, please contact Cindy Weimer, Sr. Vice President of Industry Relations at cweimer@milk4u.org.