Beagle farm case goes to Court of Appeal

CAMPAIGNERS are making a last-ditch attempt to prevent new facilities from being built in Yorkshire for breeding beagles.
A previous demo at Grimston against begale breeding plansA previous demo at Grimston against begale breeding plans
A previous demo at Grimston against begale breeding plans

The move by Cruelty Free International follows a High Court decision last month dismissing claims that beagles which will be bred for research at Grimston in East Yorkshire should be given the chance to exercise outside.

The organisation has now lodged an application for permission to appeal against the decision at the Court of Appeal.

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It came after CFI unsuccessfully challenged the Home Office’s decision to allow B&K an exemption not to provide outdoor runs.

CFI’s chief executive Michelle Thew said: “The European Directive requirement for giving dogs used in highly unpleasant tests just a little protection is threatened, with this judgment, to be swept away. We were dismayed at the outcome of the High Court case in June, and after carefully considering our options with our legal counsel have decided there are grounds to challenge the decision.”

B&K previously welcomed the “sensible” decision and said they had provided extensive evidence that outdoor runs would present a “health hazard” to the dogs.

A spokesman said yesterday: “Our position is unchanged. We continue to support the Home Office position to grant us an exemption for outdoor runs on scientific grounds.

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“We have plans in place to accommodate all outcomes but expect the Court of Appeal to uphold the High Court’s correct decision, should the appeal be granted.”

Plans to upgrade the facilities at Grimston have been mired in planning battles and controversy for the past five years. Dogs were bred on site until 2010.