Livestock firm attacked by Karen Miles • One of the
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UK's leading livestock firms was trying to recover from a suspected terrorist attack this week after as many as 60 incendary devices were planted at its premises, badly damaging two trucks. The attack on the Somerset premises of AE George & Sons struck at the core of the livestock haulage establishment: Eddie Harper, chairman of the Road Haulage Association's livestock group, is employed as a consultant by the company.
Speaking earlier in the week, just hours after discovering the burnt-out remains of one of the firm's trucks, Harper said he was taking the attack personally. It came despite his efforts to keep the company's identity secret.
Animal rights activists are suspected by some staff at the company, and, although the police say it is too early to identify the criminals, they are appealing to the public for information.
A driver discovered "a glow" under a lorry when he reported for work at 03:30hrs on Monday, and then noticed a number of devices under other vehicles.
Fire subsequently engulfed a lorry with a flat-bed trailer and damaged a livestock carrier, but no-one was hurt.
The firebombing is the first suffered by AE George, although animal rights activists have made a series of similar attacks on other hauliers.
El Welsh farmers and exporters have teamed up to form a sheep export ferry company which is due to start running between Dover and Dunkirk in five weeks' time.
Farmers Ferry hopes all UK sheep producers will use the daily, chartered service. Five Welsh farmers have given the project financial backing for its first six months. Details of the ferry operator are still being finalised; the service will cost £100 for the first 100 ewes sent and £20 per hundred thereafter.