Protesters have clashed with employees at an animal testing labratory in Harrogate this morning.
A group of around 10 to 20 people who are opposed to animal testing will be stationed at the entrance of Labcorp Drug Development just off Otley Road all day.
They held banners with “animal killers work here”, “animals are not ours to experiment on” and “end animal testing”.
Labcorp defends animal research as necessary to help save human lives. It uses the data it gathers from animals to develop treatments for cancer, heat disease, multiple sclerosis and more.
Jane Rose, who attended the demonstration, told the Stray Ferret:
“We just come together for the animals. We just want to publicise that this company thinks it’s okay to test in animals in 2021.
“Labcorp is a massive company based in the USA and we are tiny. But so what? We still have to speak for the animals.
“I just feel sick whenever I see a white van because I worry that is another load of puppies going to be tested on. It’s just wrong.”
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A short walk away on Otley Road many will recognise 80-year-old Annabel Holt, who has been protesting for the last two decades.
She encourages people to beep as they drive past to show support. Ms Holt told the Stray Ferret:
“I was brought up fox hunting, I was married to somebody who never stopped shooting. I used to kill creatures.
“But I perceived the physical brilliance of all creatures. I think this is horrendous right here in Harrogate.”
The Stray Ferret approached Labcorp for a response to the protester’s concerns. A spokesperson said:
“Labcorp Drug Development takes very seriously our ethical and regulatory responsibilities to treat research animals with the greatest care and respect.
“In addition to being the right thing to do, the proper care of research animals is fundamental to sound scientific research and the ability to develop life-saving and life-enhancing new medicines.
“New drugs must be tested in animals before human clinical trials to ensure the safety of patients and volunteers and there are clear links between excellent animal welfare and medical breakthroughs.”
