FBI & Animal Rights: Bioterrorism Claims
- Animal rights activists are raising concerns about possible collusion between the FBI and the agriculture industry, citing documents obtained through public records requests.The documents highlight the close relationship...
- In March 2020,as COVID-19 spread,farm industry groups expressed concern to California Gov.
- According to Property of the People, a nonprofit that released the documents, this government-industry collaboration has intensified with the spread of bird flu, which they attribute to the...
Documents reveal a concerning alliance between the FBI and the big agriculture industry, stirring accusations of collusion against animal rights activists. This inquiry unveils how industry groups, during the COVID-19 pandemic, voiced worries about activists, potentially leading to increased scrutiny. The primarykeyword, FBI, is central to this story, with the secondarykeyword, animal rights, at the heart of the controversy. News Directory 3 reports on claims that the goverment and industry have used biosecurity fears to target activists and that activists’ claims about government-industry fearmongering are increasing.Federal documents expose the potential targeting of activists. Delve into the details and discover the implications of this story, which may spark legal challenges. Discover what’s next …
FBI, Big Ag Accused of Collusion Against Animal Rights Activists
Updated June 03, 2025
Animal rights activists are raising concerns about possible collusion between the FBI and the agriculture industry, citing documents obtained through public records requests.The documents highlight the close relationship between law enforcement and agriculture groups, particularly regarding animal rights activity and biosecurity risks.
In March 2020,as COVID-19 spread,farm industry groups expressed concern to California Gov. Gavin Newsom about animal rights activists, citing an FBI memo that warned trespassing activists could spread bird diseases, casting them as potential terrorists threatening the food chain.
According to Property of the People, a nonprofit that released the documents, this government-industry collaboration has intensified with the spread of bird flu, which they attribute to the industry’s own practices. They accuse big agriculture lobbyists and thier FBI allies of concealing cruelty and disease by blaming activists.
The FBI defended its relationship with the private sector, stating its goal is to protect communities from unlawful activity while upholding the Constitution. The agency maintains it focuses on individuals who commit violence, federal crimes, or pose a threat to national security, and cannot open investigations based solely on First Amendment-protected activity.
The documents trace the industry’s relationship with law enforcement from 2015 to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent bird flu outbreak. Animal rights activists have long felt federal law enforcement categorizes them similarly to al Qaeda.
In 2015, FBI veterinarian Stephen Goldsmith told Dairy Herd Management that eco-terrorists posed a greater domestic threat than international groups. Emails show Goldsmith met with the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA) in 2019.Weeks later, the AAA president warned Goldsmith about protests by Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), known for “open rescues” of animals.
An August 2019 FBI intelligence note claimed activists were accelerating the spread of Virulent newcastle disease due to inadequate biosafety protocols. However, four months later, the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) countered that activists were nonviolent and posed a “diminishing threat,” citing their safety precautions and USDA research.
Emails suggest the FBI regularly shared information with the AAA, casting activists as potential disease vectors during outbreaks. The AAA, which defends the food supply chain from animal rights activists, saw growing concerns in 2020 when activists created Project Counterglow, a map of farms for protest sites.
Hannah Thompson-Weeman, AAA president, alerted industry leaders and contacted FBI and DHS contacts. Goldsmith also distributed AAA warnings about upcoming protests by groups like DxE. In June 2023,the AAA asked members to track and report “animal rights activity,” providing a direct FBI email for reporting “animal rights violent extremists” (ARVE).
The California Farm Bureau Federation and Milk Producers Council also penned a letter to Newsom in March 2020, portraying activists as potential terrorists. As the bird flu outbreak escalated, government officials echoed the industry’s claims that activists could spread disease.
“Transparency is not terrorism,and the FBI should not be taking marching orders from industry flacks.”
Ryan Shapiro, executive director of Property of the People, said the documents paint a damning picture.
“It’s always a shocking thing when nonviolent activists are called terrorists.”
Zoe Rosenberg, a member of Direct Action Everywhere, said she was shocked by the allegations contained in the emails between law enforcement and industry.
The Fallout
Animal rights activists contend that claims they spread disease have had consequences. In California, Zoe Rosenberg faces prison time for participating in an “open rescue” of chickens.Prosecutors have labeled her a “biosecurity risk” due to bird flu outbreaks, leading to her being placed on an ankle monitor and under supervision.
What’s next
The release of these documents is expected to fuel further debate about the balance between protecting agricultural interests, ensuring food safety, and safeguarding the rights of activists. Further investigations and legal challenges may arise consequently of these revelations.