𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Labour MPs have joined Dame Joanna Lumley and Chris Packham to demand the Home Secretary closes a major animal testing laboratory. MPs earlier this year approved a ban on protests outside animal testing labs and other “life sciences infrastructure”, including MBR Acres in Cambridgeshire. The open letter to Shabhana Mahmood calls for her to “step up and do the right thing” by shutting the facility where beagles are bred for medical research.

The letter, bacjed by the Amandaland and Absolutely Fabulous star, added: “The United Kingdom is a nation of animal lovers; we are home to the world’s oldest animal charity, the RSPCA, and nearly 40% of our households count a dog as a family member. In the face of this, it is utterly shocking that we continue to subject defenceless puppies to unimaginable pain in the animal testing industry. This betrayal is even more gut-wrenching because it’s beagles who are chosen – precisely because they are gentle, friendly, affectionate and trusting.”

“These traits make them beloved members of the family. In the lab, they’re the perfect victims who won’t put up a fight.

“The use of animals for testing has, largely, become obsolete.

At least a dozen Labour MPs are among those to have added their name to the letter, alongside actress Amanda Holden and animal protection charities.

Labour backbenchers Richard Burgon Neil Duncan-Jordan Chris Hinchliff Rachael Maskell are among those to also have backed the letter.

Labour MPs Ruth Jones said: “Beagles are kind and curious dogs that wouldn’t hurt a fly, and it’s for this reason they are used for animal testing.

“Britain prides itself on how we treat animals, and in particular dogs, but the conditions exposed inside MBR Acres are not fit for any animal at all. I’m hopeful that the first step on Labour’s commitment to phasing out animal testing is to shut down MBR Acres and rehome all the beautiful beagle puppies with loving families.”

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Rose Patterson, director of Animal Rising who organised the letter, said: “We are delighted to be joined by MPs, A-listers, and world-renowned academics in our call for the Home Office to shut down MBR Acres and rehome the dogs.

“Rightly so, people are asking themselves the question, ‘What would I do if this were my dog?’ And concluding that the only answer is to free these puppies from a life of unnecessary suffering. Let’s move forward and push the UK to lead the world into an animal-testing-free future.”

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.