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Tim Iredale
Political editor, Yorkshire & Lincolnshire
Ricky Gervais urges Eric Pickles to block beagle farm
Ricky Gervais has spoken out against proposals to build a dog breeding farm in East Yorkshire
Comedian Ricky Gervais has spoken out against proposals to build a dog breeding farm in East Yorkshire, which would supply beagles for scientific research.
The star of The Office and Extras is supporting a campaign by the anti-vivisection group, BUAV, which is trying to prevent the expansion of a centre in the village of Grimston.
Plans to extend the site owned by B&K Universal were originally rejected by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in June.
The company has appealed against the planning verdict, and the matter now rests with the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, with a decision due in the next few weeks.
Online petitionIn a statement released by the BUAV, Ricky Gervais said: "I am disgusted to learn of these plans to breed beagles for experiments. It is unacceptable that these gentle and trusting dogs should be treated as commodities.
An online petition has attracted more than 28,000 signatures
"If B&K's plans go ahead, thousands of dogs will be born to spend the rest of their short lives in a laboratory cage, where they will suffer in cruel experiments."
An online petition against the proposals has attracted more than 28,000 signatures.
The BUAV chief executive, Michelle Thew, said: "We are delighted to receive the support of Ricky Gervais on this important issue."
She added: "There are a range of modern, humane, non-animal research techniques available to scientists which should be used instead of inflicting suffering on dogs and other animals in laboratories."
Medical researchB&K Universal has not commented directly on the latest proposals to build a dog breeding facility, but on the company's website it states:
“Start Quote
End Quote Ricky GervaisI am disgusted to learn of these plans to breed beagles for experiments.”
"B&K Universal strongly believes in the promotion of environmental enrichment for the well-being of laboratory animals and will always continue to set standards of best practice in the pursuit of this objective."
The use of dogs in medical research remains controversial.
According to government figures, in 2005 more than 7,400 beagles were used in experiments - less than half of 1% of the total number of animals used in scientific procedures.
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Comment number 1.
albert_farqwitte17th December 2011 - 9:29
Whilst in the recent past some animal activists have by their behaviour damaged the antivivisection movement. Torturing animals is not what we should as a species be doing and most certainly not just to test cosmetics and smoking materials.
Link to this (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
95_Rifles17th December 2011 - 15:02
The only way to stop this abuse is to determine who the customers are and then stop purchasing their goods. They will either bankrupt themselves or stop selling products using animals for testing. No one gets arrested for using 'threating behaviour' and the animals are saved, eventually. We need to find out who the customers are, then start a campaign to encourage people to boycott them.
Link to this (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
Hull-dude17th December 2011 - 16:12
This is where alot of people dont understand the usage of animals for medical research.
Cosmetic research has been banned in the UK for years and I agree the usage of animals for cosmetic trials would be discusting if it acualy went on !!!!
TBC
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Comment number 4.
Hull-dude17th December 2011 - 16:40
Animals used in medical research is vital for the protection of the human race , it is illegal for any animals to suffer in any form and the UK has some of the tightest rules in the world . If the plans are not accepted the research will still go on but in another part of the world with less/no regulations and for one I wouldnt like to see that happen .
TBC
Link to this (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
Hull-dude17th December 2011 - 16:53
I have studied the facts before making my mind up on this subject and reading alot of reports the only people whom should be stopped is the majority of those protesting against the plans and the acts of animal cruelty they have themselves commited in the past .
"oh sorry i forgot you where only trying to save them "
(that makes it ok does it?)
TBC
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Comments 5 of 19