HLS admit the attacks will never stop
FT re-entitled | 23.04.2002 08:55 | Animal Liberation
Drug companies warn of animal rights protests
By David Firn and Patrick Jenkins
Published: April 22 2002 21:07 | Last Updated: April 22 2002 21:19
Violence by animal rights extremists has been curbed by recent legislation, but the early release of three activists is worrying medical researchers.
The number of attacks on pharmaceutical companies and their staff has fallen since the government amended public order legislation a year ago, according to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. However, the BioIndustry Association, which represents UK biotech companies, warned that protests could escalate following the release of the activists credited with leading a campaign of intimidation to close down Huntingdon Life Sciences, the animal testing company.
Andrew Gay, an executive at HLS, said violent attacks and intimidation had not been halted, but police now had the power to act firmly when they happened. "You still get attacks in the middle of the night. You are never going to stop it, but there is less going on," he said.
Aisling Burnand, BIA deputy chief executive, said it was not clear the legislation would prevent violent protests. "It is too early to say if it was enough. Seven people have been put behind bars and there is a feeling the campaign has run out of steam, but that could change," she said.
Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty, the anti-vivisection group, claimed victory in October when Huntingdon Life Sciences, the drug-testing company, said it would move its headquarters to the US and cancel its London Stock Exchange listing.
Opponents of the animal rights activists say the sting was taken out of the Shac campaign when three of their leading figures - Greg Avery, Heather James and Natasha Taylor - were imprisoned in November for inciting a public nuisance.
Despite receiving six-month sentences, Mr Avery and Ms James were released early several weeks ago. They were electronically tagged and instructed not to speak to the press.
The BIA says the police still lack the resources to protect medical researchers.
Shac dismissed as "absolute rubbish" the industry's claims that protest activity had been contained by the new legislation.
"We have been targeting financial backers of HLS, not just the pharmaceuticals companies," it said. "That is the only reason we're less visible to the industry. They'll never stop us. We'll get worse and worse."
* Shac last week claimed its first victory in the campaign to stop US stockbrokers trading the shares of HLS and its US shell parent, Life Sciences Research. Following several weeks of campaigning, Charles Schwab said investors had until the end of the month to transfer stock to another broker.
By David Firn and Patrick Jenkins
Published: April 22 2002 21:07 | Last Updated: April 22 2002 21:19
Violence by animal rights extremists has been curbed by recent legislation, but the early release of three activists is worrying medical researchers.
The number of attacks on pharmaceutical companies and their staff has fallen since the government amended public order legislation a year ago, according to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. However, the BioIndustry Association, which represents UK biotech companies, warned that protests could escalate following the release of the activists credited with leading a campaign of intimidation to close down Huntingdon Life Sciences, the animal testing company.
Andrew Gay, an executive at HLS, said violent attacks and intimidation had not been halted, but police now had the power to act firmly when they happened. "You still get attacks in the middle of the night. You are never going to stop it, but there is less going on," he said.
Aisling Burnand, BIA deputy chief executive, said it was not clear the legislation would prevent violent protests. "It is too early to say if it was enough. Seven people have been put behind bars and there is a feeling the campaign has run out of steam, but that could change," she said.
Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty, the anti-vivisection group, claimed victory in October when Huntingdon Life Sciences, the drug-testing company, said it would move its headquarters to the US and cancel its London Stock Exchange listing.
Opponents of the animal rights activists say the sting was taken out of the Shac campaign when three of their leading figures - Greg Avery, Heather James and Natasha Taylor - were imprisoned in November for inciting a public nuisance.
Despite receiving six-month sentences, Mr Avery and Ms James were released early several weeks ago. They were electronically tagged and instructed not to speak to the press.
The BIA says the police still lack the resources to protect medical researchers.
Shac dismissed as "absolute rubbish" the industry's claims that protest activity had been contained by the new legislation.
"We have been targeting financial backers of HLS, not just the pharmaceuticals companies," it said. "That is the only reason we're less visible to the industry. They'll never stop us. We'll get worse and worse."
* Shac last week claimed its first victory in the campaign to stop US stockbrokers trading the shares of HLS and its US shell parent, Life Sciences Research. Following several weeks of campaigning, Charles Schwab said investors had until the end of the month to transfer stock to another broker.
FT re-entitled