Newbury MP Laura Farris calls for further protections for animals bred for scientific testing

Newbury MP Laura Farris has called for further protections for animals bred for scientific testing.

She raised the issue in response to a statement in Parliament from farming minister Mark Spencer on animal welfare.

The Newbury MP spoke about the MBR Acres breeding facility in Huntingdon where beagles are bred for the purpose of scientific testing.

Though she said it wasn’t a local issue, she told the House that constituents had contacted her with “serious concerns about the inhumane and cruel treatment to which some of those dogs are subjected”.

She asked whether the Government would consider “closing the loophole that exists in the 2006 Animal Welfare Act that exempts dogs bred for scientific testing from its protection”.

Mrs Farris has also recently met with singer and animal rights campaigner Will Young and Beagle Freedom Project’s Robert Cogswell to discuss MBR Acres and other breeding facilities.

She said: “Whilst Huntingdon is not in my constituency, I know that there is considerable local interest in this issue.

“West Berkshire is a community with many animal lovers and I have been shocked by some of the detail that is emerging from this site and the valiant efforts of some of my constituents to draw attention to the issue.

“The Government have made significant improvements to animal welfare since 2010 and although I would like to see an end to animal testing altogether.

“In the meantime I am looking forward to meeting the minister to discuss how we can reinforce the legal protections that apply to animals bred for this purpose.”