LET’S PUT A FOX IN FULL VIEW SAY PROTECT THE WILD. MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN ANY POLITICIAN ON OUR TEN QUID NOTE

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Why a Fox Should Be on Britain’s New £10 Note PROTECT THE WILD MAR 19 READ IN APP In recent days, it has been announced that British wildlife could soon feature on future UK banknotes. For the first time in history, we may move away from politicians and historical figures and instead celebrate the natural world that defines this country. It is a rare opportunity, not just to redesign our currency, but to rethink what it represents. Money is not just functional. It is symbolic. It reflects who we are, what we value, and the stories we choose to tell about ourselves. If there is one animal that truly belongs on a British banknote, it is the fox. Foxes are everywhere. They move through our countryside, across farmland and woodland, and just as easily through alleyways, gardens and city streets. They are one of the few wild animals that exist comfortably in both rural and urban Britain, which makes them instantly recognisable to millions of people. From London to the Lake District, from quiet villages to busy housing estates, foxes are part of everyday life. They are watching, adapting and surviving. In many ways, they are the perfect symbol of modern Britain. They are resilient, intelligent and impossible to ignore. Few animals are as widely recognised, and fewer still are as widely loved. Yet no animal in Britain has been as relentlessly persecuted. For decades, foxes have been chased, torn apart, shot, trapped and demonised. Even today, despite the Hunting Act, fox hunting continues in practice across the country. Sign the petition That contradiction sits at the heart of Britain. We claim to love foxes, yet we have allowed them to be treated as disposable. Putting a fox on a UK banknote would not just be about celebrating wildlife. It would be a statement. It would reflect a country whose values are changing, where cruelty is increasingly rejected and compassion is becoming the expectation. As calls grow stronger for a properly enforced and strengthened ban on fox hunting, the fox is no longer just a victim of tradition. It is becoming a symbol of progress. A fox on our currency could represent a shift in national identity. It could represent a country that no longer tolerates cruelty dressed up as culture, and one that chooses coexistence over persecution. This is a rare, once in a generation decision. We can choose an animal that feels safe and distant, or we can choose one that tells the truth about who we are and who we are becoming. The fox is not just part of Britain. It reflects it. If British wildlife is going to appear on our money, it should mean something. It should represent a species that people recognise, connect with and care about. It should reflect the country we want to be. That is why we are calling for a fox to feature on the new UK £10 note. Sign the petition SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2026 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

BUMBLEBEE CONSERVATION TRUST — THE BUMBLES NEED OUR HELP EVEN MORE — INTERESTING READ

view online Bumblebee Conservation Trust logo Bumblebee with tongue out on round yellow spire flower with blue background As March brings the first real signs of spring, it marks a crucial moment for bumblebees as queens emerge from hibernation in search of food and nesting sites - making this one of the most important times of the year to support them. We share the latest results from our BeeWalk scheme, a chance to bee-come a member and a FREE downloadable guide to help bumblebees in your space. Bumblebee season is on it's way, so let's get ready! Bumblebees still struggling according to latest BeeWalk results 🐝 Red tailed bumblebee on blue cornflower with grass in background Despite the sunniest spring on record and a sweltering summer, Britain's bumblebees are still struggling, and the latest BeeWalk report reveals some surprising trends. While a few rare species are showing hopeful signs of recovery, many of our most familiar bumblebees remain in decline. What’s really happening to Britain’s bumblebees, and why aren’t ideal weather conditions enough to help them recover? Full news story 🐝 Scotland and Wales introduce new laws to restore nature 🪧 People dressed as animals in fluffy costumes holding placards Scotland and Wales have both brought in important new laws that aim to protect wildlife and help nature recover. These changes could be a big step forward for the recovery of bumblebees, other pollinators, and the many species that urgently need better protection. Find out more and how you can help 💚 Let's start gardening!🪴 Terracotta and glazed blue pots with green and purple flowers and herbs The importance of gardens as bumblebee havens is more significant than ever. The good news is you don’t have to be an expert gardener to help bumblebees; you don’t even have to have a garden! A window-box, balcony or hanging basket will do. This guide is full of simple tips to get your space buzzing. Download your FREE guide ⬇️ Bumblebee in the spotlight 🔎 Side profile of a bumblebee feeding on purple flower with two sparkle graphics The Early bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) is one of the 'Big Eight' common and widespread bumblebees. Let's take a closer look. The Early bumblebee Bumblebee on purple flower with yellow tinged background with words in blue and white 'Join the club!' Love bumblebees? Join the club 🐝 Bumblebees are in trouble, and the world would be a much quieter (and less colourful) place without them. Become a member TODAY and receive a welcome pack buzzing with goodies so you can help the bumblebees. Together, we can protect them for the future. Choose your membership 💌 Lady standing in garden of wildflowers wearing a grey/blue T-shirt Explore our stylish clothing line to add a pop of nature‑inspired flair to your day, or pick up a charming notebook - perfect for jotting down your gardening plans, wildlife sightings, or brilliant ideas while outdoors! Check out our collections, including the popular 'Herbs for bumblebees' collection (photo). Shop with purpose. Look great. Support bumblebees. Shop Teemill 🛒 Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Registered Charity No: 1115634 / Scottish Charity No: SC042830. © 2026 Bumblebee Conservation Trust. All rights reserved. You are receiving this newsletter because you are already a member, subscribed via our website, an event or when becoming a volunteer. We hope you enjoy reading it! Registered address: International House, 109-111 Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8JA; Correspondence address: Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Beta Centre, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling FK9 4NF Unsubscribe

BEAUFORT HUNT CAUGHT KILLING & BIN-BAGGING ANOTHER FOX — CHANNEL 4 NEWS HIGHLIGHTED THEM BEFORE

View this email in your browser Hi, Supporter Bin-Bag Beaufort Caught Killing and Bin‑Bagging Yet Another Hunted Fox On Friday 6th March 2026, the day before their Point‑to‑Point, the Duke of Beaufort Hunt were once again caught hunting and killing a fox. This latest incident follows a recent Channel 4 News exposé which featured the Beaufort, alongside other hunts, actively hunting and killing foxes. WATCH THE VIDEO Bin-Bag Beaufort Caught Killing and Bin‑Bagging Yet Another Hunted Fox Sabs had already recorded a kill on the Fosse Way in November 2025, earning the hunt one of their many nicknames: the “Bin Bag Beaufort.” They were again filmed killing a fox on the Duke’s Badminton Estate on 20th December 2025, and another at Cranmore Farm, Shipton Moyne, on 3rd January 2026 also earning them the nickname “serial killers” by Channel 4 News senior correspondent, Alex Thompson. Numerous additional chases have been documented, with video evidence showing hounds pursuing foxes deep into coverts, often out of sight, leaving outcomes unknown. Terrier-man exits Duchess Clump with his terrier On the day in question, sabs had already witnessed a fox being hunted into Duchess Clump—only metres ahead of baying hounds—when hunt whistles were heard. Earlier that morning, before the hunt even began, terrier‑men were filmed leaving Duchess Clump, which contains an Artificial Earth) carrying a terrier under their arm. This is routine at the Beaufort, and sabs had already unblocked another AE elsewhere that same day. One of the blocked AE’s found the same morning After second‑horsing at Luckington Barn, the huntsman led the hounds and field riders towards Commonwood Farm, quickly casting them into hedgerows to search for foxes. Hounds showed particular interest in a small clump of trees, appearing to pick up a scent. The huntsman and two point riders then moved the pack along the hedgerow to continue the search. The huntsman slowed, appearing to blow his horn, waiting for the hounds to regroup. Moments later, the hounds doubled back to the exact spot where a field rider was waiting “on point”—almost certainly having seen the fox and alerted the huntsman. The hounds raced back at speed, watched by the field, and were quickly joined by the huntsman as they entered the hedgerow. A small group of hounds then dragged a terrified fox from the edge of the hedge and began tearing the animal apart. The fox is dragged from the hedge and killed in front of hunters who do nothing to stop the attack. The huntsman approached and, instead of stopping the attack, calmly dismounted and produced yet another bin bag. Riders attempted to shield the scene from the drone as the fox’s mangled body—clearly visible from the air—was retrieved. Not enough bin bags in the world to hide the Beaufort’s many crimes. The huntsman left swiftly, leaving two riders to dispose of the evidence. Disposing of the evidence While the kill and removal were underway, the drone team was surrounded by masked terrier‑men and hunt supporters, clearly waiting for the drone to land. This hunt has a history of drone theft: in November 2024, the Beaufort used their own drone with a weighted tether to entangle and crash a sabs drone before stealing it. Another attempt followed on 11th January 2025, again using a weighted tether, shortly before the same individuals assaulted sabs later that day. Given this backdrop of theft, aircraft endangerment, and illegal hunting, foot sabs rushed to protect the drone team. Upon arrival, they found masked terrier‑men, supporters, and day‑glo stalkers surrounding the drone car. Once they realised multiple cameras were filming, most fled, leaving only a handful behind. Police were called. Masked men, many with registration plates deliberately muddied out, surround a sab car awaiting the drone landing. When officers arrived, one immediately sought out the stalkers’ apparent “boss,” Jonny Walker—a known hunt stalker and hunt host. The officer did not engage with sabs, including the drone pilot, before speaking with Walker. A rural crime officer viewed the footage on the drone controller, and another officer from Chippenham Response also attended. Stalker ‘boss’ Jonny Walker activates his police hotline - who then rush to him for a quiet pre-briefing (Image taken on 14/03/2026, courtesy of Mendip Hunt Sabs) As Channel 4 News recently highlighted, “one alleged crime a day is not enough for the Beaufort Hunt.” True to form, once the area had cleared, sabs relaunched the drone and immediately witnessed another chase: a fox flushed from New Covert and driven toward Alderton Grove Farm, with a terrier‑man on a quad opening gates for the huntsman. Terrier-man Paul Tasker and Stalker ‘Boss’ Jonny Walker attempt to gain entry to the drone car prior to police arriving. Sabs relayed live updates to officers, who attempted to locate the hunt. However, the earlier RPU officer remained with the drone and, upon its landing, seized it—despite it containing evidence of at least one kill and several chases. At no point were the hunt stopped. No officer attempted to locate the fox’s body in the bin bag. No effort was made to deploy a police drone. Instead, officers removed the sabs’ ability to quickly locate the hunt and prevent further kills. “I’ll have that thank you very much, the hunt can get on with hunting foxes now” The drone has since been returned to Wiltshire Sabs following a week‑long campaign exposing the circumstances of its seizure. Home safe and sound A spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said: “Once again, prolific fox killers, the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt, seem able to avoid police scrutiny even as wildlife crime is unfolding. This hunt, repeatedly filmed hunting and killing foxes this season alone, has been the subject of numerous police investigations. While police drag their heels, sabs are in the fields and skies doing their best to prevent wildlife crime and provide evidence to the often lackadaisical officers who attend. We will continue until a proper ban is in place—and until it is properly enforced by those paid to uphold the law.” You can follow Wiltshire Hunt Sabs here and support their work here. Join the Hunt Saboteurs Association! Support our vital work by becoming a member. Join The HSA Spread the word! Please share our news Share via email Facebook icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Logo Copyright (C) 2026 Hunt Saboteurs Association. All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Hunt Saboteurs Association. Our mailing address is: BM HSA, London, WC1N 3XX, U.K. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

ON THE ROOF OF NATURE SCOTLAND TWO MEN WITH GANNET ATTIRE PROTEST ABOUT GANNET KILLING

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more BREAKING: Anti-Guga Hunt Activists Chain Themselves to Roof of NatureScot HQ They say they'll stay there "for days if we have to." DEVON DOCHERTY MAR 20 READ IN APP At 4am this morning in Inverness, two activists from campaign group Abolish the Guga Hunt scaled the HQ of NatureScot, chained themselves to the building, and dropped a banner reading: ABOLISH THE GUGA HUNT. Jamie Moyes and Allan Jackson - dressed as Gannets - hauled themselves onto the highest ridge above the building’s glass roof before first light, protesting against NatureScot’s complicity in the killing of Gannet chicks on a remote Scottish island. Alongside the banner, the pair placed a bloodied model of a baby Gannet - a stark symbol of the despicable practice they are demanding be brought to an end. TELL NATURESCOT: END THE GUGA HUNT What this is about Every single year around August or September, 10 men from the Isle of Lewis travel to the remote island of Sula Sgeir to kill hundreds or thousands of Gannet seabird chicks (known as Guga) to eat as a local delicacy. The activity has been happening for centuries and while it once was linked to a survival need, is now done purely to maintain the tradition. The chicks are not yet old enough to fly when they are snatched from their nests, beaten to death with a heavy rod, plucked, gutted and scorched over open flames. This happens in full view of other chicks, nearby seabirds and the chick’s parents, who circle overhead and call out helplessly as their only chick is slaughtered. This is not survival. This is needless cruelty - and NatureScot allow it to happen. The Guga hunt can only take place if NatureScot - Scotland’s official Nature agency - give out a licence for it. That licence is discretionary. They are not obliged to grant it. Yet they do, year after year, and claim that it’s all done “humanely.” It’s a disgrace. SIGN THE PETITION Sula Sgeir was designated as a Special Protection Area due to its internationally important population of breeding seabirds, including Gannets. In fact, Scotland is home to almost half of the world’s Northern Gannet population, making it one of the most important countries on Earth for the survival of this species. Continuing to authorise the killing of Guga against this backdrop is totally and utterly indefensible. In a nation facing a biodiversity emergency, the overriding priority must be nature recovery, not the maintenance of an outdated cultural tradition that directly conflicts with that goal. “We’re prepared to stay here for days if we have to.” Speaking from the roof, Jamie and Allan said “We’re prepared to stay here for days if we have to.” They said they are prepared to go to Sula Sgeir to stand between the hunters and the birds, and try to save the chicks. But this should never come to that. NatureScot can stop it now by doing the right thing and refusing this year’s licence. How you can help We are so close to hitting 50,000 signatures on the petition to demand Naturescot brings an end to this abhorrent practice. Please add your name today and help save lives. SIGN THE PETITION SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2026 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

FROM THE MIGHTY HUNT SABS — CAUGHT IN THE ACT — HOUNDS LEAVE DEPOSITS BEHIND — NO ACTION TO CLEAN UP

View this email in your browser Hi, Supporter FOUL PLAY: ONE RULE FOR THE HUNT, ANOTHER FOR THE REST OF US On Saturday 4th October 2025 at Laxton, Nottinghamshire a hunt sab dashcam recorded at least four separate incidents of dog fouling as the hunt left the meet. The pack was the Grove & Rufford Hunt who had managed to field just five riders. The Grove & Rufford Hunt don’t give a crap. The hunt rampaged through the local village with no concern for other road users, with poorly controlled hounds peeling off and entering people’s gardens, only stopping to relieve themselves as they went. The hunt, of course, carried on its merry way unconcerned about the dog mess being left behind. Apart from a violent incident later in the day when a heavy chain was thrown at sabs it was uneventful. On reviewing the dashcam footage sabs reported the four recorded dog fouling incidents to the local council, Newark & Sherwood. After supplying the video, screenshots and a lengthy statement the sabs waited four and a half months only to be told that the complaint would not be actioned: ‘as we cannot say definitively that the dog faeces was not removed within a reasonable time scale.’ Foul behaviour: hunt riders couldn’t care less. Following a complaint on this decision they responded with the same ‘reasoning’. They did not say if they had even questioned the masters of the Grove & Rufford. They did claim they would write to the hunt, telling them to clean up after their hounds next time! It seems that at no point were the hunt contacted to see if they claimed they had picked up the poo. Perhaps the district council expects us to post a hunt sab on each steaming pile and film it for four hours or something. The idea that anyone whose dogs foul four times and then rides off, would return to clean-up is laughable and we doubt if anyone else had been filmed fouling the pavement they wouldn't have been treated in such a lenient manner. Poo on the pavement. Local authorities can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of up to £100 on the spot for such offences, and we can only assume that his was not done as hunts always seem to be given preferential treatment by councils up and down the country. We look forward to the day that the rural community are not afflicted by the countryside vandals of organised hunting. We ask any local residents to keep an eye out for future incidents and perhaps contact the council asking why the hunt was let off so easily after such damning evidence. Join the Hunt Saboteurs Association! Support our vital work by becoming a member. Join The HSA Spread the word! Please share our news Share via email Facebook icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Logo Copyright (C) 2026 Hunt Saboteurs Association. All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Hunt Saboteurs Association. Our mailing address is: BM HSA, London, WC1N 3XX, U.K. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

WHAT A GOOD IDEA — IT’S NO MO MAY AGAIN — FROM PLANTLIFE

No Mow May 2026 View this email in your browser Donate Join Shop Hi John, We wanted to let you in on a little secret – we’re launching No Mow May early! That’s right, it’s back and this year, it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before. So, if you want to be a No Mow Hero, it couldn’t be simpler: Sign up. Stop Mowing. Sit back and let it grow! Pledge to take part in No Mow May We thought that the start of spring would be the perfect time to launch the campaign. And with the winter we’ve had, spring can’t come soon enough. We’re ready to swap the mud for wildflowers. We can’t deny it’s been a wet and wild few months. In fact it was the one of the wettest winters on record in central and south west England – not to mention one of the warmest. Our climate is changing and nature needs us more now than ever. One way we can all help is by pledging to let our lawns grow. Less mowing not only saves you effort and money, it reduces your carbon footprint, gives you a deeper connection to nature and provides a lifeline for other wildlife including pollinators. Be part of the No Mow Movement Whether you’ve got a big garden, a small courtyard or even a spare plant pot – no space is too small, and it all adds up to huge gains for nature. We hope you’ll pledge to let it grow for nature this year. Thank you. Charley Adams, Plantlife Nature Editor Follow Plantlife on: Instagram Instagram Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter YouTube YouTube LinkedIn LinkedIn Website Website Copyright © Plantlife All rights reserved. Plantlife International is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered Charity in England and Wales (1059559) & Scotland, (SC038951) Registered Company in England and Wales (3166339) Registered Office: Brewery House,36 Milford Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2AP, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1722 342730 enquiries@plantlife.org.uk www.plantlife.org.uk Plantlife respects your privacy. You can read more about how and why we use your personal data at www.plantlife.org.uk/privacy-notice Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

PROTECT THE WILD — IS HOLDING A PLACARD AN ARRESTABLE OFFENCE/ NO IT ISNT. SHOWS THE POWER OF A FEW

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Arrested for holding a placard: An interview with Saule and Jack from Camp Beagle TOM ANDERSON MAR 18 ∙ GUEST POST READ IN APP On 24 February, animal defenders Saule and Jack were arrested at Camp Beagle, a protest camp against the MBR Acres beagle breeding facility in Huntingdon. They weren’t charged, but were given police bail conditions not to return to the protests. MBR - or MarshallBioResources - supplies 2000 beagles a year to the animal testing industry, including to Labcorp (formerly known as Huntingdon Life Sciences). The company is licensed to harvest blood and body parts from the dogs for sale. Protect the Wild and Lawyers for Animals caught up with Saule and Jack to speak to them about their arrest. Jack at the protest outside MBR Acres on 4 February. Judicial review On 4 February, the House of Lords rubber-stamped an amendment to the Public Order Act 2023 that classified animal testing sites like MBR Acres as ‘Key National Infrastructure’, paving the way for the criminalisation of protest. The fateful vote in the Lords came despite the best efforts of campaigners from Camp Beagle, Animal Aid, Naturewatch Foundation, Protect the Wild, and others. The definition of animal testing sites as ‘Key National Infrastructure’ followed several meetings between government ministers and corporate executives in the ‘Life Sciences’ industry, including representatives of MBR Acres. Lawyers for Animals, alongside co-claimant Maria Iriart from Camp Beagle, have brought a judicial review against the decision. The claim argues that extending these powers to cover animal testing goes beyond what parliament intended when it passed the 2023 Public Order Act. The arrest of Jack and Saule less than three weeks after the expansion of Public Order powers shows that this government, like governments before them, are bowing to pressure from the animal testing industry to restrict public protests. The repression at Camp Beagle comes despite Labour promising in its December 2025 Animal Welfare Strategy that it would phase out animal testing. Campaigners at Camp Beagle have pointed out that, between October and December 2025, the government “granted 111 licences authorising the use of 1,542,870 animals, including three licences to test on 5,450 beagles”. It seems like Labour’s actions aren’t in line with its supposed strategy. Saule and Jack at the protest outside MBR Acres. The MBR beagles deserve “loving homes” Saule and Jack are both long term protesters against MBR Acres (MBR). We asked them what it is that inspires them to keep going. Jack told us: “we want to see it shut down. We want to see the beagles freed and in loving homes like they deserve. They don’t deserve to be in cages skidding around in their own faeces and urine. 510 dogs to a cage, no enrichment, no walks, no treats. It’s just a disgusting place, and it needs to be shut down”. The dogs held at MBR are kept in dire conditions, left unattended for as long as 23 hours a day and never taken out into the fresh air. Talking about the conditions for the dogs that he had seen in undercover footage taken inside MBR, Jack said: “They’re just desperate for any attention like any dog would be. You know what I mean? They’re just trapped in cages with no enrichment. It’s clear that those dogs just, just don’t want to be there. They want to get out. They want to be free.” Saule said that she had seen the undercover footage from inside MBR as well. She said that the dogs are kept in “rows and rows of concrete pens. Faeces everywhere, hundreds of dogs, and the noise is just deafening. It’s so loud and they’re all just jumping at the cages. It’s really horrible.” ‘An embarrassment for Cambridgeshire Police’ Jack and Saule were protesting at the gates of MBR Acres on 24 February, as they had done many times before, holding up placards as the workers drove into the facility. The site security called the police, as they often do. When officers arrived they did nothing to stop the demonstrators, indicating that they didn’t see any evidence that the protest was unlawful. Several other campaigners joined the protest too. Police stand by as Jack protests a car entering MBR Acres. Officers did not give a warning to protesters on 24 February. Later that day, police entered Camp Beagle saying that they had been told “to make some arrest attempts”. Saule was arrested close to the camp, and Jack was taken from his van. Officers seemed unsure what the arrests were for, warning Saule that she was being arrested for breaching Section 17 of the Public Order Act, which relates to the treatment of journalists by police officers. Presumably this was a mistake as she isn’t a journalist and didn’t even have a camera at the demonstration. In fact, Section 17 governs police actions and doesn’t even contain a power of arrest. Jack was arrested on suspicion of Obstruction of the Highway, coupled with allegedly Interfering with Key National Infrastructure. Police arrest Saule for the wrong offence (presumably). Jack described the shambolic policing: “They’d clearly not briefed these officers who turned up. They’ve obviously just been told to go there. They’ve not been briefed on what they’re actually arresting us for. They’ve just said, arrest them for this. And they couldn’t even get that right, you know, they couldn’t even get the section right for Saule. I mean it was like it was their first day of policing. It was really very embarrassing for Cambridgeshire Police.” When Jack got into the back of the police van, he noticed that it was stained with blood. Saule described her feelings on being handcuffed and put in the back of the van: “I was just so angry, you know, that I was the one being criminalised. And there’s people going in to MBR Acres and bleeding these dogs.” Things didn’t improve when the two campaigners got to the police station. The cops were ‘pally’ (aka fishing for information), but pretty clueless about what the pair had been arrested for. It seemed like the officers on the ground had received orders ‘from on high’. According to Jack: “They made a bit of small talk, had a bit of a banter. I think they were just maybe following orders, just doing the job. But, you know, where have we heard that before? I think it leads to very dangerous outcomes when you’re just blindly following orders and not questioning why you’re actually doing this to people like us.” Saule and Jack were interviewed by a Police Constable, not a Detective. He watched the CCTV footage of the protest for the first time during the interview itself. After turning off the tapes he reportedly admitted: “I’m not actually sure what they’ve arrested you for there. I can’t see a point there where you’ve actually done anything wrong.” Animal testing sites aren’t ‘Key National Infrastructure’ This whole debacle occurred because the government amended the Public Order Act to classify animal testing sites as ‘Key National Infrastructure’. We asked Saule and Jack what they thought of the proposition that MBR Acres was key infrastructure. Saule replied: “It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. They labeled it as Key National Infrastructure on the basis of pandemic preparedness, but then what actually increases the risk of a pandemic happening is things like factory farming and the wildlife trade. And who’s funding that? The government.” Jack argued that ‘Key National Infrastructure’ should refer to “motorways, airports, things that are essential for the running of the country“, whereas “Life Sciences, animal testing. If that didn’t exist, the country wouldn’t grind to a halt, the economy wouldn’t collapse. It doesn’t seem like it’s an essential thing in any sort of way“. Meanwhile, a victory for direct action When we carried out our interview with Jack and Saule, news had just come in that five of the people who carried out a daring rescue of 18 beagles from MBR Acres in December 2022 had been found not guilty of burglary by a jury at Peterborough Crown Court. The verdict marked the last of four trials resulting from the 2022 action, and the second acquittal for beagle rescuers at MBR. Other defendants have sadly been found guilty and, in some cases, given suspended prison sentences of up to 18 months. Saule said that the verdicts show that: “the public is on our side. I think also the comments on the videos of our arrests were really supportive too, the general consensus is that this is wrong. This shouldn’t be happening. There’s a lot of support and we just have to focus on that. The answer isn’t to give up. If anything its to keep going, keep fighting.” An image from Animal Rising’s rescue operation on 30 December 2022 Saule and Jack were arrested while other people on the protest weren’t. They told us that they felt they could have been targeted because they are active at the protests and in spreading news of the campaign on social media, which may have resulted in MBR security pressuring the police for their arrest. On a wider level, Jack said that he thought Cambridgeshire Police must be under a lot of pressure from MBR and now also the government to make use of the new Public Order powers. Jack told us that, despite the arrests, repression wouldn’t stop them from continuing campaigning. He said: “The police have tried to crush this movement a number of times in the past. If you look at the [Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty, or] SHAC campaign, for example. But no amount of legislation or police repression will stop this movement. We’re rooted in compassion and empathy for all sentient life, we’re not motivated by money. These corporations, are just motivated purely by greed and money, but we have something so much more. We’ll never give up. We’ll never stop fighting for the animals, ever.” Animal testing: an industry protected by state repression The moves to criminalise protest outside MBR Acres and other animal testing facilities is part of a long history of state repression aimed at shielding the animal testing industry from public dissent. The SHAC Campaign was a militant direct action campaign set up in 1999 aimed at closing down Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS - which was taken over by Labcorp in 2015), one of the world’s largest animal testing facilities and one of MBR’s customers. After a long campaign by SHAC nearly brought HLS to its knees, the UK government stepped in and facilitated the bailout of the company by the Bank of England. Repression against the movement was intense, with police following a strategy of “leadership decapitation” against the SHAC campaign. Thirteen people were eventually sentenced to almost 70 years in prison between them for conspiracy to blackmail HLS, in one of the biggest political crackdowns in recent UK history. Associated campaigns were also targeted with new legislation introduced by Tony Blair’s Labour government. These included people organising against Sequani, another company involved in animal testing. Sean Kirtley of the Sequani 6 was convicted and imprisoned in 2008 for ‘Conspiracy to interfere with the contractual relations of an animal research facility’ under section 145 of Labour’s Serious Organised Crime and Police Act’ (SOCPA 145). Kirtley, whose alleged conspiracy was the organisation of a protest campaign, later successfully appealed his conviction. To read more about the repression of the SHAC campaign check out this report from 2014 by research group Corporate Watch. Civil injunctions have also been a way for companies involved in animal testing to restrict protests outside their premises. Private companies are technically responsible for obtaining injunctions in the civil courts. However, in reality, police forces often provide information about campaigners to corporate lawyers to back up injunction claims. Injunctions have been used for decades to protect cruel testing by the likes of HLS (now Labcorp), Oxford University and many more. Many historic injunctions have restricted activities by ‘persons unknown‘, effectively binding any member of the public who protests outside the facilities. MBR Acres applied for an injunction after Camp Beagle was established in 2021. However, John Curtin of Camp Beagle fought against their case in the High Court and was successful in stripping away the most repressive aspects of the planned injunction. The court imposed a restriction on obstruction and trespass by named people, instead of the much wider order sought by MBR. The battle for freedom to protest continues outside the gates of MBR. Campaigners have recently released videos of private security guards attempting to ‘serve’ the injunction on protesters outside the gates of the facility. Literally throwing the documents in people’s faces. Stand with Camp Beagle According to Protect the Wild’s Rob Pownall: “It is deeply concerning that two peaceful activists were arrested simply for holding a sign. If even the police appear unsure what offence has been committed, it raises serious questions about how these new protest powers are being used. Peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right, and laws that create confusion or arbitrary enforcement risk undermining that right.” At Protect the Wild, we stand with Camp Beagle in saying that the Labour government’s moves to restrict protest against the ‘Life Sciences’ industry on the one hand and promises to phase out animal testing on the other make no sense. Watch this space for news about Lawyers For Animals and Camp Beagle’s judicial review of the classification of animal testing sites as ‘Key National Infrastructure’. Sign Camp Beagle’s petition to ‘End testing on dogs and other animals for the development of products for human use’. Visit the camp. Check out some of the whistleblower footage from inside MBR Acres. Read about Animal Rising’s ‘Free the MBR Beagles’ campaign. Thanks to Saule, Jack, Camp Beagle and Animal Rising for the pictures used in this piece. A guest post by Tom Anderson Journalist for Protect the Wild Subscribe to Tom SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2026 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing