On Wednesday 4th February, the House of Lords voted not to block the Government’s changes to the Public Order Act 2023, which classifies animal testing facilities as “key national infrastructure”.

This means peaceful protesters could now face severe criminal sanctions, including up to a year in prison, simply for opposing animal experimentation.

The amendment directly benefits organisations like MBR Acres, a facility that breeds beagle puppies for laboratory experiments, which has spent years trying to use the courts to restrict protest at its site.

On January 16th, a formal Judicial Review Pre-Action Protocol letter was sent to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, setting out why these regulations are unlawful. As a result of the House of Lords vote, we are now bringing a judicial review to challenge these changes in the courts.

The judicial review will be brought by Maria Iriart, a long-standing animal rights activist involved in the Camp Beagle protest outside MBR Acres, who is directly affected by these new powers. In addition, Lawyers for Animals, a legal charity specialised in animal protection law and protecting advocates who raise these concerns.

Animal testing facilities are not key national infrastructure. Peaceful protests at these sites do not cause serious disruption to the daily lives of the public. Protest is a fundamental democratic right, and those of us who believe the use of animals in science is wrong have the right to make our voices heard.

Just last month, the Government promised in its Animal Welfare Strategy to work towards phasing out animal testing. Instead of honouring that commitment, it is now using its powers to protect the very industry it claims it wants to move away from.

We are asking for £10,000 to help fund this judicial review and launch the legal challenge.

Thank you so much for your support. This case matters to anyone who believes peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy and to anyone concerned about animal testing.