UK is vivisection capital
More vivisection is done in the UK than anywhere else in Europe, according to government figures released this year.
Animal experiments have reached their highest level for over a decade and animal rights activists are blaming Tony Blair and his government for this increase.
“The figures have shot up since Labour came to power; Blair’s just pandering to big business as usual,” said Robin Webb on the Animal Liberation Front.
However, others think the government has been to slow to back the vivisection industry, especially as it is under threat from extremists.
“It seems people have been scared to stand up to the animal right activists.
Only now is the government finally doing something,” said Professor Clive Page from King’s College, London.
This comes after Mr Blair added his own name to an online petition backing animal testing and condemned the “appalling” actions of animal rights extremists.
“The rest of Europe is actually being brought up to the same standard of regulation and inspections that we have here – bad welfare is bad science.
England has an excellent worldwide reputation that should be protected or we risk losing scientific breakthroughs,” said Professor Page.