Animal welfare activists who put their political agenda ahead of animal welfare should be held accountable for their actions, according to the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA).

The overwhelming majority of American farmers and ranchers adhere to nationally accepted animal care guidelines and demonstrate their commitment to their animals and land on a daily basis.

Increasingly, activist groups are intentionally hiring individuals to work undercover on farms and in processing plants to capture video to help drive their vegan animal rights agenda.

Recent videos have shown the mishandling of animals not condoned by national farm animal care guidelines nor the policies of the individual farm or company, says the AAA.

As these videos gain notoriety sought by the groups, the alliance expresses concern that the activist employees providing the tapes are not held accountable for their failure to follow company animal care policies, and their failure to report animal mistreatment immediately to the farm owners or managers.

Instead, the videos are produced and released directly to the media – often months later – allowing the alleged mistreatment to continue while the activists plan their strategic media campaign.

AAA says these actions suggest the possibility that some of the alleged cruelty shown could be staged strictly for the purpose of making the video.

Concern was also expressed that these same tactics could be used to deliberately contaminate the U.S. food supply.

The alliance supports thorough investigation of all reports of mistreatment of animals or acts of animal cruelty.

The Arlington, VA-based organization strongly encourages all farm animal owners to implement animal care guidelines, provide employee training and establish animal care policies holding all employees accountable for their actions.

For more information on how to protect against illicit employment by activists, obtain a copy of the alliance’s report called Farm and Facility Security Recommendations. Alliance gold level members can obtain a copy by going to Animal Alliance. All others interested in obtaining a copy should contact the alliance at info@animalagalliance.org.