Ban snares petition -- COPY - Protect the Wild

Petition to the Home Secretary: Withdraw plans to classify "life sciences" as key national infrastructure

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Dear Home Secretary,

I am writing as a member of the public to express my strong concern about the proposal to designate the “life sciences” sector as Key National Infrastructure under the Public Order Act 2023.

I urge you to withdraw this proposal.

The Public Order Act has already been widely criticised by civil liberties organisations, UN Special Rapporteurs, and parliamentarians from across the political spectrum for its disproportionate impact on the right to peaceful protest. Expanding its scope to include the life sciences sector (including animal testing facilities) would represent a serious and unnecessary escalation of those powers.

Public opposition to this proposal is clear. More than 15,000 people contacted their MPs in less than 24 hours ahead of its consideration by a Delegated Legislation Committee, and concerns were raised directly by MPs during parliamentary proceedings. This level of concern reflects unease that extends well beyond any single group or campaign.

At a time when democratic rights and civil liberties in the UK are under increasing scrutiny, this proposal risks further undermining public confidence in the Government’s commitment to fundamental freedoms. Peaceful protest against animal testing has a long and legitimate history in this country, and there is no evidence that existing laws are insufficient to deal with genuine criminal activity.

I am also concerned that this proposal sits uneasily alongside the Labour Party’s stated commitment to the long-term phasing out of animal testing. Restricting lawful, peaceful protest against animal experimentation while maintaining such a pledge risks appearing inconsistent and counterproductive.

Many people in the UK continue to hold serious ethical, scientific, and moral objections to animal testing. Citizens must retain the right to express those concerns through lawful protest without fear of excessive criminalisation. Measures that risk chilling peaceful dissent are incompatible with the UK’s democratic traditions and human rights obligations.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to withdraw the proposal to include the life sciences sector within the definition of Key National Infrastructure under the Public Order Act, and to engage meaningfully with the many members of the public who oppose it.

Yours sincerely,

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Petition to the Home Secretary: Withdraw plans to classify "life sciences" as key national infrastructure

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