July 1, 2005

scientists react to the government’s crackdown on animal rights extremism

These comments were collected as the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act targeting campaigns of “economic damage” came into force.

Brain Cass, Director, Huntingdon Life Sciences, said:

“I continue to be encouraged by the robust and determined position that the government is taking to control animal rights extremists. These tough, new powers will be welcomed by the medical research community and all its stakeholders, including suppliers and financial services. We now must confidently look forward to a further commitment of police resources to ensure these new laws are properly enforced.”

Aisling Burnand, Chief Executive, BioIndustry Association, said:

“This legislation will serve to eliminate the grey area in which animal extremists have previously operated, and will protect companies and individuals engaged in legitimate, groundbreaking bioscience research in this country and, crucially, all those connected with the research. We congratulate the Government on this important legislation. The challenge now is to ensure that the Police and the Judiciary have the resources they need to implement these new laws.”

A spokesperson for the group Victims of Animal Rights Extremism, said:

“The Victims of Animal Rights Extremism welcome the new laws and appreciate the hard work and support of government, the DTI and the Home Office in tackling this serious problem. We hope very much that we will see an end to the relentless intimidation, threats and actual attacks that all too many of us have suffered. However, the full benefit of the new measures will only be realised if the police and the CPS act on them and as such we await with interest for developments to occur.”

A spokesperson for RDS Understanding Animal Research in Medicine, which represents scientists in the public and political debate about the use of animals in medical research, said:

“The scientific community welcomes the new laws to protect individuals and companies from animal rights extremism. Scientists involved in important and legitimate medical research should not have to suffer continual harassment, intimidation and attacks. We are very encouraged by police activity but we will be calling on government to ensure that sufficient resources are made available for full and effective implementation of the new measures. We can then look forward to better protection for scientists and restored confidence in the UK as a good place to do medical research.”