President Bush has signed the “Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act” into law.

AETA expands criminal prohibitions against the use of force, violence, and threats involving animal enterprises and increases penalties for violations of these prohibitions.

Earlier this month, the Animal Agriculture Alliance said it was “thrilled” that Congress had passed the measure.

A news release from the Arlington, Va.-based group also said, “The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act closes loopholes in the previous act by penalizing attacks against tertiary targets. It also addresses key concerns of law enforcement who have waged an uphill battle to prevent, investigate and prosecute acts of animal rights terrorism.”