"It is absolutely unacceptable that farmers or others are faced with threats and intimidation from activists and extremists who want to make a point," said outgoing Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel (VVD) when asked in response to the call from industry organizations in the livestock farming sector to take action against extremist activists. "Use of violence and other punishable expressions that endanger others or public order crosses all boundaries."
The reason for the appeal by the seven organisations, including Vee & Logistiek Nederland, Producentenorganisatie Varkenshouderij and the Vereniging van de Nederlandse Pluimveeververwerking Industrie was the fire last weekend at a chicken slaughterhouse, which the police are investigating as to whether it was started by Animal Liberation Front (ALF). A large fire raged at the Plukon location in Oosterblokker in North Holland on Sunday morning, which was probably started deliberately. Eight trucks and a van went up in flames. The logo of animal rights group Animal Liberation Front (ALF) was found on a waste container on the site. The damage is estimated at €2,2 million. The Noordhollands Dagblad quotes an (anonymous) leader of ALF who does not deny that the group is behind it and says: "We may do more of these kinds of actions in the future."
The sector organisations respond in a press release: "Agricultural entrepreneurs, transporters and processing companies fear a new wave of arson and violence, if this is really the work of Animal Liberation Front." In recent years, it has been quiet in the Netherlands regarding the international animal rights group, the organisations indicate, but 'in the past, fires were started in slaughterhouses, transport trucks went up in flames, and hamburger restaurants were also set on fire'. The sector organisation is not only concerned with ALF, 'but with every action group that commits unlawful acts'.
According to the organisations, this is a terrorist act. The sector organisations are very concerned that there will be 'more violent actions against our companies' and call on politicians to take action and 'take strong action against extremist activists'.
Police action framework
At the end of 2024, the police's 'Framework of Action and Tolerance Limits for Animal Rights Activism/Extremism' was tightened. Van Weel now also refers to this: "Following previous incidents in the agricultural sector, the police, together with the Public Prosecution Service, have drawn up a framework of action to provide the police with tools for actions that may be punishable and/or disturb public order." The framework of action is not public, but it appears from the answers to parliamentary questions that an addition was that victims of, for example, a stable occupation must be informed that they can report trespassing.
Van Weel does not want to anticipate the investigation that the police are conducting into the fire at Plukon, but does say: "In general, I find it absolutely unacceptable that farmers or others are confronted with threats and intimidation from activists and extremists who want to make a point. The use of violence and other punishable expressions that endanger others or public order crosses all boundaries."
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