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01/07/2005
Government moves to tackle animal rights extremists
Tough new powers to tackle the activities of animal rights extremists aimed at companies and individuals involved in research with animals came into force today.
Under the new powers against campaigns involving violence and intimidation, it will be a criminal offence to target any scientist, research facility or company in the supply chain with a campaign of unlawful acts including criminal damage, trespass, blackmail and libel.
The penalties will be up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine.
The Government said that the measures deliver on the Prime Minister's pledge to crack down on the unacceptable behaviour of extremists that directly threatens vital, often life saving, development of new drugs and treatments.
The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Alan Johnson, said: "Companies have the right to conduct legitimate business free from fear of being attacked. Our pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry is a global leader providing more than 22,000 jobs and worth more than £3.6 billion in the UK. It provides essential treatments and medicines that benefit all. These new measures will help safeguard and give confidence to investors and scientists in this cutting edge industry."
Commenting today the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, said: "Animal rights extremists put lives at risk by endangering vital research that tackles diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS and Alzheimer's which affect millions of people in UK. We will not allow their campaign of intimidation to put these important medical advances at risk."
The Government department responsible for the licensing system in animal testing is the Home Office.
Home Office Minster, Paul Goggins, said that people have a "right to campaign lawfully against the use of animals in scientific research, but they do not have the right to engage in acts of intimidation or violence against individuals and firms working in this area".
"These new measures will help to stamp out the abhorrent campaigns of harassment and intimidation that a minority of extremists are engaged in and will protect those engaged in legitimate, lawful work. We will not allow animal rights extremists to threaten these people and the vital work they do," he said.
The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act will see the establishment of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) on the abolition of the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad.
(SP)
Under the new powers against campaigns involving violence and intimidation, it will be a criminal offence to target any scientist, research facility or company in the supply chain with a campaign of unlawful acts including criminal damage, trespass, blackmail and libel.
The penalties will be up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine.
The Government said that the measures deliver on the Prime Minister's pledge to crack down on the unacceptable behaviour of extremists that directly threatens vital, often life saving, development of new drugs and treatments.
The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Alan Johnson, said: "Companies have the right to conduct legitimate business free from fear of being attacked. Our pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry is a global leader providing more than 22,000 jobs and worth more than £3.6 billion in the UK. It provides essential treatments and medicines that benefit all. These new measures will help safeguard and give confidence to investors and scientists in this cutting edge industry."
Commenting today the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, said: "Animal rights extremists put lives at risk by endangering vital research that tackles diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS and Alzheimer's which affect millions of people in UK. We will not allow their campaign of intimidation to put these important medical advances at risk."
The Government department responsible for the licensing system in animal testing is the Home Office.
Home Office Minster, Paul Goggins, said that people have a "right to campaign lawfully against the use of animals in scientific research, but they do not have the right to engage in acts of intimidation or violence against individuals and firms working in this area".
"These new measures will help to stamp out the abhorrent campaigns of harassment and intimidation that a minority of extremists are engaged in and will protect those engaged in legitimate, lawful work. We will not allow animal rights extremists to threaten these people and the vital work they do," he said.
The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act will see the establishment of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) on the abolition of the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad.
(SP)
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31 January 2005
Government crackdown on animal rights extremists
Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has announced a series of tough new measures to deal with animal rights extremists who intimidate businesses.
Government crackdown on animal rights extremists
Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has announced a series of tough new measures to deal with animal rights extremists who intimidate businesses.
02 May 2007
Thirty-two arrests in animal extremism raids
Police have arrested a total of 32 people in a series of raids targeting animal rights extremists in the UK and Europe. In the UK, raids took place in Glasgow, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Greater London, Merseyside, Worcestershire, Lancashire, Northumbria, Yorkshire, South Wales, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Thirty-two arrests in animal extremism raids
Police have arrested a total of 32 people in a series of raids targeting animal rights extremists in the UK and Europe. In the UK, raids took place in Glasgow, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Greater London, Merseyside, Worcestershire, Lancashire, Northumbria, Yorkshire, South Wales, Belgium and the Netherlands.
23 August 2005
Guinea pig farm closes following intimidation
A farm, which was targeted by animal rights extremists for six years, has announced that it is to stop breeding guinea pigs for medical research.
Guinea pig farm closes following intimidation
A farm, which was targeted by animal rights extremists for six years, has announced that it is to stop breeding guinea pigs for medical research.
01 July 2003
Commons votes to ban hunting with dogs
Labour backbenchers last night humbled the government over an attempt to install a last-minute compromise amendment in the Hunting Bill, when MPs backed a total ban by 362 votes to 154. Today, Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said that it was now conceivable that a total ban on hunting with dogs could be enforced by 2005.
Commons votes to ban hunting with dogs
Labour backbenchers last night humbled the government over an attempt to install a last-minute compromise amendment in the Hunting Bill, when MPs backed a total ban by 362 votes to 154. Today, Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said that it was now conceivable that a total ban on hunting with dogs could be enforced by 2005.
01 May 2007
Police arrest 30 animal rights extremists
Thirty people have been arrested in connection with alleged animal rights extremism in a series of early morning raids carried out by police in the UK and at locations in Europe. Around 300 police officers took part on the operation, which targeted 30 addresses in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Police arrest 30 animal rights extremists
Thirty people have been arrested in connection with alleged animal rights extremism in a series of early morning raids carried out by police in the UK and at locations in Europe. Around 300 police officers took part on the operation, which targeted 30 addresses in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
