Final Decision Expected On Grimston Beagle Breeding Facility
B & K Universal want to expand their animal testing facility in Grimston to include breeding facilities.
A final decision on whether to allow a beagle breeding facility to be built in East Yorkshire is expected to be made today.
B & K Universal want to expand their animal testing centre in Grimston - so that they're able to breed dogs on site for scientific experiments.
Tens of thousands of people - including some celebrities - have signed a petition against the plans.
The proposals have already been turned down previously and today the government will make a final decision on whether to allow it to go ahead.
Alex Irving is among those opposing it. She told Viking FM:
"The continued use of beagles and other animals in research for human medicine is harming patients and is delaying the discovery of cures for human diseases, chronic diseases like cancer and alzheimers.
"It's about wealth and not about health, it's simply holding back the discovery of cures for many scientists who are already using the technologies available which are human relevant and they find it shocking that animals are still being used in the 21st century."
Queen guitarist Brian May is also in opposition of the new facility being built and has made an urgent appeal to Secretary of State Greg Clark who has final say over the plans. He said:
“There is no justification for forcing dogs to suffer in experiments. Please do the right thing and reject these cruel plans.” While Downton Abbey’s Peter Egan voiced concerns about the dog farm, saying:
“The fate of hundreds of dogs hangs in the balance. With science moving away from crude animal tests, it makes no sense to approve these plans and consign man’s best friend to a life of suffering in the laboratory.”
In a statement, B & K Universal told us the new facility will help improve animal welfare standards at the site - aswell as reducing traffic as dogs will not have to be brought in from elsewhere.
A company spokesperson said:
"The reasons for the new build are; to raise animal welfare; to gain commercial advantage; to protect existing jobs and generate new jobs; and to continue our significant contribution to the local and national economies."