990253 PETA Protests Federal Hog Subsidies

Washington - Six animal-rights protesters were charged with misdemeanor trespassing and fined Thursday after they chained themselves inside the Agriculture Department to protest government subsidies for hog farmers.

Protesters from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sat on the floor just under the office of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and chanted "jail not bail for pig farmers" for more than an hour before they were removed.

They were fined $25 each for the incident and released, according to officials with Federal Protective Services, which has jurisdiction over federal buildings.

Glickman is in South Africa this week.

The government last month announced a $50 million aid package for pork farmers, who are receiving record low prices. In December, farmers got as low as $8 to $10 per 100 pounds compared to $45 last year.

Pork producers recently asked for about $500 million more, saying they were still in danger of losing their livelihoods because of low prices.

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