Naturewatch Foundation is urging Members of Parliament to vote against a controversial Statutory Instrument (SI) next week (14 January 2026) warning it represents a quiet but dangerous attack on democratic protest and transparency around animal testing.
Under the Public Order Act 2023, protests can already be restricted around “Key National Infrastructure” — such as roads, rail, oil and gas facilities — if they significantly disrupt services that keep the country running. Campaigners say those protections, while controversial, are at least understandable.
Animal testing, they argue, is different.
On 27 November 2025, ministers laid an Affirmative Statutory Instrument to reclassify “Life Sciences infrastructure” as Key National Infrastructure. The proposal, due to be voted on in Parliament 14 January 2026, would effectively shield any site linked to animal testing (including breeding facilities, laboratories, universities and medical...
