Camp Beagle

Camp Beagle is a protest camp set up in July 2021 by animal rights activists outside of MBR Acres, a breeding facility for beagles used in laboratory research, in Wyton, Cambridgeshire.[1] The protestors want the site to be closed down, the beagles freed and for vivisection in the United Kingdom to be ended.[2]

Camp Beagle
Front gates of MBR Acres, covered in protester signs
DateJuly 2021 – ongoing
Location
MBR Acres, Wyton, Cambridgeshire, England
Caused byAnimal rights activists opposing the breeding of beagles for research
GoalsShutting down MBR acres, freeing the beagles and ending vivisection in the United Kingdom
MethodsProtest camp
StatusOngoing
Casualties
ArrestedAt least 15[1]

Background

MBR Acres is owned by the American company Marshall BioResources (MBR).[3] Up to 2,000 beagles are bred at the facility each year; they are sold at the age of around 16 weeks to be used for drugs and chemical testing.[4]

Since 2020, protests have been held around the facility, led by groups such as Camp Beagle and Free the MBR Beagles.[5]

History

The camp was first set up in July 2021; footage of dogs from the facility published by the Daily Mirror led to increased support of the campaign.[5] The protestors argue that the facility is factory farming beagles; MBR has issued a statement asserting that the protestors are misinformed and that breeding of animals is essential for medical research. The statement also contends that the facility is both regulated and frequently inspected by the Home Office which enforces strict laws around animal welfare in research facilities.[5]

Actors Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan have voiced their support for the facility to be closed down.[6] In August 2021 The Times Newspaper published a letter signed by in support of MBR Acres and its contribution to medical research nineteen scientific societies and organizations.[7]

On 28 August, Camp Beagle coordinated a protest with Animal Rebellion at Smithfield Market in London.[8]

15 activists were arrested on 31 August for "suspected obstruction of the highway or of criminal damage."[1]

Following a High Court injunction hearing instigated by MBR Acres, it was ruled, on 5 October, that the camp was allowed to remain, with the provision that activists must remain at least 10 metres from the gates.[9]

A Freedom of Information Request revealed that Cambridge Constabulary spent £165,166 from 27 June to 14 September on policing the camp.[4]

In November 2021, the singer Will Young handcuffed himself to the gates of the facility.[10]

In December 2022, activists from Animal Rebellion freed 18 beagles from the facility.[11]

See also

References
  1. Ironmonger, Jon (31 August 2021). "Beagle breeding protesters arrested in Cambridgeshire". BBC News. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  2. Bánfi, Alexandra (5 November 2021). "Beagle testing has 'no place in our society'". Cambrian News. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  3. Blakely, Rhys (20 August 2021). "We're going to win, MBR Acres beagle farm protesters insist". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  4. Dalton, Jane (7 October 2021). "Police spend tens of thousands of pounds protecting transport of puppies to labs for experiments". The Independent. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  5. Leishman, Fiona (9 July 2021). "Protesters set up camp outside Cambs animal testing breeding facility". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  6. Blakely, Rhys (3 August 2021). "Ricky Gervais joins fight to close animal testers' beagle puppy farm". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  7. "Letters to the editor". The Times. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  8. Phillips, Alexa (28 August 2021). "Animal Rebellion: Hundreds of animal rights protesters linked to Extinction Rebellion stop traffic in London". Sky News. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  9. Collett, Alexandra (5 October 2021). "'We are here to stay!' High Court allows Camp Beagle to remain". The Hunts Post. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  10. Haygarth, Dan (17 November 2021). "MBR responds to Camp Beagle protest that saw Will Young handcuffed to its gates". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  11. Davis, Barney (21 December 2022). "Animal Rebellion activists free 18 beagle puppies from testing facility". Evening Standard. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
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