Anger as Government allows controversial Yorkshire beagle farm

Mr Clark this morning has allowed an appeal by Yorkshire Evergreen, also known as B&K, to start breeding laboratory beagles again in new facilities at Grimston in Holderness.

NAVS President Jan Creamer said, “This is a betrayal of the animals, the public and science. The number of dog experiments has declined substantially over the past ten years, but this regressive decision could see that positive trend reversed.

Instead of consigning thousands of dogs to a life of suffering in the laboratory, the government should be championing better, modern alternatives that will save animal and human lives.”

Animal Justice Project spokeswoman Claire Palmer said: “Animal Justice Project is against the use of all animals in experiments.

“The government’s decision to allow B&K Universal to expand and breed animals for this purpose is against public opinion, and a direct contradiction of government policy which highlights a commitment to reduce and replace the use of animals in experiments.

“It is an ethically and morally indefensible decision, especially given the fact that this company and its managers have been convicted of animal abuse and the illegal killing of beagle puppies and dogs in Italy”.

Over 100,000 people have signed petitions against the plans against the development with high-profile campaigners like rock legend Brian May calling for the Government to turn down the plans.

However B&K said: “We very much welcome the sensible decision to grant planning permission for our breeding site, based on the merits of the proposals within planning law.

“However, we are disappointed that it has taken so long for the right outcome to arrive. It has now been almost two years since the application was submitted.

“We applaud the Secretary of State for not being distracted by the misleading arguments of animal rights groups during the planning appeal process.