Huntingdon Research Centre

Huntingdon Research Centre, aka Huntingdon Life Sciences, is facing a possible shutdown in the light of an inquiry which began after a Channel 4 documentary revealed the extent of HRC's brutal activities. The documentary showed employees kicking and hurling a beagle against a wall and punching, shaking and laughing at dogs.

This forced the government to announce that it was giving the company until November 30th to "show improvements" or loose its vivesection licence. The event was followed by a collapse in the company's shares, wiping £80 million off their share price overnight, and over half their customers either withdrawing contracts, or not placing new work with the company. David Christopher, Research Labs Director of HLS, suddenly resigned from the Animal Procedures Committee. The Research Defence Society announced in its July newsletter that it had suspended HLS from its corporate membership.

It is estimated that the company has 100,000 animals on its premises, including 1,000 beagles and 700 monkeys.

A permanent camp, "Camp Rena", the first of its kind at a vivesection lab, has now been set up and needs people to come and stay for a while. A rota has been set up, so help is needed, whether for a few hours or a few days. They were in court on Monday 15th September and their case was adjourned for at least seven days.

Everything done at Huntingdon from now on should be in the name of Barry Horne, so add his name to banners etc. 01832 293468, 01223 311828.

If you are in the North West you can also get involved as HLS have a site in Wilmslow, Cheshire where there have also been demos and vigils. 01204 431868.