The farm was targeted because of its links to the Huntingdon Life Sciences research company, Lincoln Crown Court was told.


The four were arrested in the early hours of October 13 at Caenby Corner,near Lincoln, which is close to Highgate Farm in the village of Normanby by Spital.


Victoria Waterhouse-Taylor,18, of Eva Street, Rusholme, Manchester; and a 17-year-old boy from Urmston, Manchester, along with Dean Cain,27, of King Street, Ulverston, Cumbria; and Luke Steele,18, of Woodside View, Leeds are accused of conspiracy to cause damage at Highgate Farm.


They also face further charges of interfering with a contractual relationship so as to harm an animal research establishment and a further charge of conspiracy.


No pleas were taken and Cain and Steele were each remanded in custody.


Waterhouse-Taylor and the 17-year-old, who cannot be named, were granted conditional bail until all four appear in court again December 19.


There was a heavy police presence at the court for the 45 minutes hearing.


Highgate Farm was previously raided by animal rights activists in January when 129 rabbits were stolen and £100,000 damage caused by a group claiming to be connected to the Animal Liberation Front and images of the raid and video footage were later posted on the internet.


The isolated farm is licensed by the Home Office to breed rabbits which are provided to the research industry including Huntingdon Life Sciences.


None of the four people before the court in relation to the October allegations is connected to the earlier raid.