Overview
- The Commons passed the amendment by 301–110, with 26 Labour MPs rebelling and Conservatives largely abstaining.
- Animal-testing and wider life-sciences facilities are now classed as key national infrastructure, enabling stronger police powers and penalties of up to 12 months in prison.
- A Home Office spokesperson said the measure allows proportionate responses to disruptive activity that could weaken the UK’s ability to handle future medical crises.
- Campaigners and some Labour backbenchers condemned the change as a curb on peaceful protest and criticised the way it was pushed through with limited scrutiny.
- The move follows renewed attention on Camp Beagle at MBR Acres and a jury acquittal of four activists this week, despite ministers recently publishing a strategy to phase out animal testing.