Stop the Government Redefining Animal Testing Sites as “National Infrastructure”

The Government is quietly pushing through a change to the law that would dramatically restrict the public’s right to protest.

A new Statutory Instrument, due to be considered by MPs this week, would amend the Public Order Act 2023 to redefine animal testing facilities as “national infrastructure.” This would place them in the same legal category as airports, power stations, and major roads, allowing sweeping injunctions and protest bans to be used against peaceful demonstrators outside laboratories.

This is an unjustified and dangerous overreach. Animal testing facilities are not “key national infrastructure,” and existing laws already give police ample powers to deal with harassment, intimidation, or criminal damage. This move appears designed to shield controversial private industries from public scrutiny at the very moment the Government claims it wants greater transparency and a future phase-out of animal testing. If passed without challenge, it would set a worrying precedent by using secondary legislation to quietly erode democratic rights and silence lawful protest. MPs must oppose this change and defend the public’s right to speak out.

There have been 39,338 submissions so far.

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Dear MP,

I am writing as a constituent regarding the draft statutory instrument titled The Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025.
I understand that an objection has been raised, meaning that a formal vote will now take place in the House of Commons on Wednesday 14 January. This statutory instrument is therefore no longer able to pass without a decision of the House, and it is vital that MPs attend and vote on this matter.
I am extremely concerned about the substance of these regulations and urge you to attend the vote and vote against the proposed amendment.
While many people hold serious ethical concerns about animal testing, my primary objection to these regulations is about civil liberties and the right to peaceful protest.
The instrument would designate the “life sciences” sector — including animal testing facilities — as key national infrastructure, triggering significant new police powers to restrict protest and seek injunctions. The wording is extremely broad, and I am concerned that it could have far-reaching consequences well beyond its stated aims, potentially impacting lawful demonstrations, trade union activity, and other forms of peaceful assembly across a wide range of sites.
I am also deeply concerned that this represents a substantial expansion of state power through secondary legislation. Existing laws already provide the police with extensive powers to deal with serious disruption, criminal damage, harassment, and threats to public safety. It is not clear what additional problem these regulations are intended to solve.
Notably, the Government’s own explanatory memorandum states that the regulations deliver no monetised public benefit, have a negative net social value, and were introduced without a formal public consultation. During committee consideration, multiple MPs raised serious concerns, and the debate ran for an unusually long time for delegated legislation — underlining that this is neither routine nor uncontroversial.
Given that a formal vote will take place on Wednesday 14 January, I would be grateful if you could confirm:

Whether you will attend the vote; and

That you will vote against these regulations.

Many constituents across the country have contacted MPs about this issue, and concern continues to grow. I would appreciate a clear response outlining your position as a matter of urgency.

Yours sincerely,

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Stop the Government Redefining Animal Testing Sites as “National Infrastructure”

The Government is quietly pushing through a change to the law that would dramatically restrict the public’s right to protest.

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