So freedom of speech has been muted as peaceful protest and non violent demonstrations at animal testing facilities are deemed criminal offences with penalties of up to 12 months in prison or unlimited fines. This is harsh for standing up for what you believe in and challenges a first world democratic culture.
On 14th January, the government passed the law that saw animal testing sites as “key infrastructures” throwing them into the same bag as airports, motorways and power stations- I am dubious of the inclusion of an animal testing site as a key infrastucture only because there are plans for virtual testing and models which means it is possible. We have come a long way with cosmetics, there is a wealth of cosmetics that do not test on animals .There is a wealth of food products that contain no animal products . Evolution is happening progressively.
What is concerning is the deeper meaning of this law; just weeks prior , the government promised that they would endeavour to end animal testing. So effectively they have contradicted themselves. The votes were 310 for and 110 against and the opposing party of The Tories abstained as they themselves tried to pass this law when they were in power so this all points to inconsistency of values . You either care or you dont!
Camp Beagle is a protest camp that was set up in June 2021 by animal rights activists outside of MBR acres- a breeding facilty for beagles used in lab research in Wyton Cambridgeshire. At 17-20 weeks , a courier service called Impex collects them and takes them to UK labs in unmarked vans and they are used for toxology and testing . Their fate is doomed and many suffer during the tests. Camp Beagle protesters hold vigils 24 hours outside the facilities and attempts have been made to shut the facilities down. The core team members hold a true compassionate , generous and selfless dedication to their cause; it is all about the Beagles and their welfare. Suffering the elements , some core volunteers will camp out 24/7 with provisions, internet to be on the ready to protest and defend these four legged defenceless creatures.
On an end note, just think about this . Is it really necessary to test on animals In 2022, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that, from the 1st of January 2023, banned the testing of harmful chemicals on dogs and cats. California became the first state in the US to prevent companies from using pets to ascertain their products’ harmful effects (such as pesticides and food additives). President Joe Biden signed into law the FDA Modernisation Act 2.0 which ended a federal mandate that experimental drugs must be tested on animals before they are used on humans in clinical trials. This law makes it easier for drug companies to use alternative methods to animal testing. The UK is behind on all of this progress, however maybe it will get up to speed very soon !
Ethical Living and Keeping It Simple 
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