Whilst at the Conservative Party Conference this week I had the chance to speak with Animal Free Research.
Since becoming the Member of Parliament for Huntingdon I’ve grasped the nettle regarding animal testing, specifically the presence of both LabCorp and MBR Acres within the constituency, a situation unique to here and as such one that presents similarly unique challenges.
Having visited LabCorp during the summer I’ve received some horrendous abuse on social media inundated with a barrage of abusive comments and staunch criticism from supporters of Camp Beagle on every social media post and to my emails. It becomes a serious concern when the police make contact to tell you they are observing the situation in order to anticipate any escalation. I will not be deterred from pursuing a solution, particularly by those who claim to be working to achieve the same goal.
Following my visit I have written to, and received a response from, Lord Patrick Vallance, the Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Research, who is responsible for shaping the Government’s pledge to work towards phasing out animal testing.
In speaking to Animal Free Research it was reassuring to see that they agreed with the likely timeline, though it is potentially a decade, and agreed that significant progress will not be made without an uplift in current research investment that will facilitate the further creation of non-animal methods.
In the coming weeks I will meet with their Public Affairs manager to discuss the pathway to eliminating the need for pre-clinical animal testing
