OldDog/NewTricks
Well-known member
News Advisory
31 July 2006
As the week begins, a few items about legislative remedies to illegal animal extremist activity are in the news.
The UK Government has published a brief progress report, Protecting People from Animal Rights Extremists, which states that the UK has "turned the corner" in the fight against illegal animal rights activity directed against research.
The study (available online at http://www.pm.gov.uk/files/pdf/AnimalWelfare.pdf ) was released just in advance of Prime Minister Tony Blair's meeting with research executives in California today. Mr. Blair is expected to detail how through coordinated efforts among government, industry, academia, law enforcement and others, the environment for science has been greatly enhanced in the UK.
The report cites recent measures taken over the past two years, including the creation of a specialist police team and new laws to protect scientists and companies related to the research enterprise. The dramatic increase in public support for research and public engagement initiatives, including The People's Petition signed by over 20,000 citizens, are also mentioned.
The report states, "The Government recognises that there is still more to do to remove the ARE (animal rights extremist) threat. Once the threat is removed our efforts will continue, to prevent the problem for recurring at a later date. The Government is determined to achieve a sustained removal of the extremist threat." According to the report, the UK is working with other governments and law enforcement agencies in "a concerted international effort."
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry last week said that the incidents of home visits to scientists and other threats and harassment in the UK are less than half of what they were last year. The group said a three-prong strategy was responsible for the reduction: new legislation; enhanced policing with co-coordinated enquiries; and working with stakeholders to combat attacks. ABPI news release, "Sea Change In Level of Attacks By Animal Extremists" July 26 http://www.abpi.org.uk/press/press_releases_06/060726.asp)
Meanwhile, animal rights extremist attacks against research in the United States are growing in frequency and intensity. United Press International, "Animal Groups Zero In On Pharma" July 26 http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/view.php?StoryID=20060726-042304-1360r
Sunday's Independent reported that British Embassy officials in Washington are helping to inform the US Congress of the threat animal rights extremists pose to medical progress, and what the UK Government has done to combat it. Legislation similar to the initiatives adopted by Britain is currently being considered. Independent, "Britain Helps US To Protect Animal Labs" July 30, http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article1204344.ece
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review today ran an editorial in strong support of the US legislation, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. It reads in part: "Fanatics argue that extending the law would abridge their free-speech right. Rubbish. The First Amendment is no license for harassment against tertiary agencies or individuals when the intention obviously is to remove their support -- and cripple a lab's operation. Worse, still, is the chilling effect these campaigns could have on future medical research if lunatics are allowed to eviscerate scientific protocols." http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/archive/s_463842.html
If the US legislation is to pass, the assistance of all research insterests is needed. To learn how you can help, contact Matthew Bailey, NABR's Government Affairs Manager, at [email protected].
31 July 2006
As the week begins, a few items about legislative remedies to illegal animal extremist activity are in the news.
The UK Government has published a brief progress report, Protecting People from Animal Rights Extremists, which states that the UK has "turned the corner" in the fight against illegal animal rights activity directed against research.
The study (available online at http://www.pm.gov.uk/files/pdf/AnimalWelfare.pdf ) was released just in advance of Prime Minister Tony Blair's meeting with research executives in California today. Mr. Blair is expected to detail how through coordinated efforts among government, industry, academia, law enforcement and others, the environment for science has been greatly enhanced in the UK.
The report cites recent measures taken over the past two years, including the creation of a specialist police team and new laws to protect scientists and companies related to the research enterprise. The dramatic increase in public support for research and public engagement initiatives, including The People's Petition signed by over 20,000 citizens, are also mentioned.
The report states, "The Government recognises that there is still more to do to remove the ARE (animal rights extremist) threat. Once the threat is removed our efforts will continue, to prevent the problem for recurring at a later date. The Government is determined to achieve a sustained removal of the extremist threat." According to the report, the UK is working with other governments and law enforcement agencies in "a concerted international effort."
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry last week said that the incidents of home visits to scientists and other threats and harassment in the UK are less than half of what they were last year. The group said a three-prong strategy was responsible for the reduction: new legislation; enhanced policing with co-coordinated enquiries; and working with stakeholders to combat attacks. ABPI news release, "Sea Change In Level of Attacks By Animal Extremists" July 26 http://www.abpi.org.uk/press/press_releases_06/060726.asp)
Meanwhile, animal rights extremist attacks against research in the United States are growing in frequency and intensity. United Press International, "Animal Groups Zero In On Pharma" July 26 http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/view.php?StoryID=20060726-042304-1360r
Sunday's Independent reported that British Embassy officials in Washington are helping to inform the US Congress of the threat animal rights extremists pose to medical progress, and what the UK Government has done to combat it. Legislation similar to the initiatives adopted by Britain is currently being considered. Independent, "Britain Helps US To Protect Animal Labs" July 30, http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article1204344.ece
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review today ran an editorial in strong support of the US legislation, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. It reads in part: "Fanatics argue that extending the law would abridge their free-speech right. Rubbish. The First Amendment is no license for harassment against tertiary agencies or individuals when the intention obviously is to remove their support -- and cripple a lab's operation. Worse, still, is the chilling effect these campaigns could have on future medical research if lunatics are allowed to eviscerate scientific protocols." http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/archive/s_463842.html
If the US legislation is to pass, the assistance of all research insterests is needed. To learn how you can help, contact Matthew Bailey, NABR's Government Affairs Manager, at [email protected].
