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Tierversuchsgegner feiern einen "Sieg": Rinder- statt Meerschweinchenausbeutung

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Tierversuchsgegner feiern einen "Sieg": Rinder- statt Meerschweinchenausbeutung

Autor: Achim Stößer | Datum:
Wiedereinmal feiern TierschĂĽtzer einen Sieg, der keiner ist. Jubel, Trubel, Heiterkeit: Die Besitzer der Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch haben angekĂĽndigt, ihre Meerschweinchenzucht endgĂĽltig aufzugeben. Am kommenden Samstag wird das mit einer landesweiten Demonstration gefeiert werden (und in den kommenden Wochen und Monaten wohl auch in Artikeln in hiesigen Tierschutzmagazinen).

Wo, bitte, ist der Sieg? Wird dadurch auch nur ein einziges Tier weniger für Tierversuche umgebracht? Natürlich nicht. Oder glaubt allen ernstes jemand, Vivisektoren würden möglichst viele Tiere kaufen, um mit all denen Versuche durchzuführen, wobei sie nun weniger bekämen und daher weniger experimentieren könnten?

DarĂĽberhinaus zĂĽchten die Halls nun zwar keine Meerschweinchen mehr, stattdessen werden sie die "Farm" aber auf "traditionelle Landwirtschaft" umstellen. Mit anderen Worten: der "Sieg", den die TierschĂĽtzer feiern, bedeutet, daĂź zukĂĽnftig Rinder dort gefangengehalten und umgebracht werden.

Aber was interessiert das leichenfressende, milchsaufende Tierschützer, die gegen "Pelz" oder "Jagd" oder eben "Tierversuche" sind, weil sie sich dadurch nicht selbst ändern, sprich, vegan werden müssen, und die natürlich nicht wahrhaben wollen, daß es den Tieren, die sie selbst durch "traditionelle" oder auch "biologische" Landwirtschaft mißhandeln und töten, um keinen Deut besser geht als den von ihnen "geschützen", eher im Gegenteil)?

Und was interessiert es "Tierrechtler", die lieber mit der breiten Masse der TierschĂĽtzer schwimmen als gegen den Strom, weil es bequemer ist und diese breite Masse ein wohliges "wir"-GefĂĽhl vermittelt, das vielen offenbar wichtiger ist als auch nur eine Spur ethischer Konsequenz.

Mit Tierrechten hat die Umstellung der "Farm" von Meerschweinchenzucht auf "Milchviehhaltung" jedenfalls nichts zu tun - wie die ganze Kampagne. Und wie auch beispielsweise körper-(und damit tierrechts-)verletzende Aktionen und ähnliche "Kampagnenmaßnahmen", falls es sie denn gegeben hat.

Da hilft es auch nicht, wenn ein ALF-Sprecher heuchlerisch erklärt, nach einer Umstellung auf "Milchwirtschaft" könne[!] die "Farm" weiterhin ein "legitimes Ziel" sein - schließlich weiß jeder, daß all diese großangelegten Kampagnen nur Randaspekte oder Tierschutzreformen beinhalten, nicht aber das Kernproblem und Abolitionismus.

Eine sechsjährige "Kampagne" also für nichts und wieder nichts - außer einem Imageschaden für die Tierrechte.

Was hätte in diesen sechs Jahren erreicht werden können, wenn auch nur ein Bruchteil derjenigen, die Unmengen von Ressourcen in sie investiert haben, stattdessen das Übel an der Wurzel bekämpft, sich für Tierrechte und Veganismus eingesetzt hätten?

ALF schlägt zu: Versuchstierfarm macht dicht

Autor: Achim Stößer | Datum:
Nach sechs Jahren Dauerfehde mit militanten TierschĂĽtzern gibt britischer Meerschweinchenfarmer endgĂĽltig auf

BERLIN taz Am kommenden Samstag soll gefeiert werden. Mit einer landesweiten Demonstration im nordenglischen Burton on Trent feiern militante TierschĂĽtzer ihr nach sechs Protestjahren erreichtes Ziel: Die Besitzer der Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch haben angekĂĽndigt, ihre Meerschweinchenzucht endgĂĽltig aufzugeben.

Seit 30 Jahren züchtete der Familienbetrieb in den Midlands Meerschweinchen für Tierversuche. 1999 waren Tierschützer auf die Farm aufmerksam geworden und begannen die Familie Hall zu terrorisieren. Ein Sprecher der Kampagne "Stoppt die Newchurch Meerschweinchen" (Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs/SNGP) triumphierte nach der Bekanntmachung: "Das ist der schönste Tag meines Lebens und ein großer Sieg für die Tierschutzbewegung". Im letzten Jahr attackierten Tierschützer die Darley Oaks Farm an die 450 Mal, über 60 Leute wurden verhaftet. Die Polizei gab zur Sicherung der Farm und des Dorfes Hunderte Millionen Pfund aus. Den Tierversuchsgegnern war keine Methode zu schade, um ihrem Protest Ausdruck zu geben. 1999 fing alles damit an, dass sie die Meerschweinchen stahlen. Dann bezichtigten sie Familienmitglieder der Pädophilie und verschickten Hass-Mails. Später gingen sie dazu über, Strom- und Telefonleitungen der Halls zu kappen, Brandsätze auf das Grundstück zu werfen und alle mit der Familie in Kontakt stehenden Personen und Einrichtungen zu bedrohen. Die Halls mussten auch ihre Milcherzeugung einstellen, da ihre Abnehmer unter dem Druck der Tierschützer die Verträge aufkündigten. Als dann im Oktober 2004 auch noch die verstorbene Schwiegermutter von Christopher Hall aus ihrem Grab entführt wurde, war das Maß voll. In der Bekanntmachung der Familie Hall heißt es jetzt, man hoffe, durch die Schließung den Leichnam der 82-jährig Verstorbenen wiederzubekommen.

Die Meerschweinchen-Schützer streiten den Leichenraub ab. Als Drahtzieher hinter der SNGP wird die radikale Tierschützergruppe ALF (Animal Liberation Front) vermutet. Sie gilt als militanteste Tierschutzorganisation der Welt. Ihre Mitglieder befreien Versuchstiere, bedrohen Personen und Gebäude, beschädigen oder zerstören Fahrzeuge sowie Geräte, die mit der Ausbeutung von Tieren in direktem oder indirektem Zusammenhang stehen. Die ALF-Strategie setzt darauf, dass der finanzielle Aufwand für Sicherungsmaßnahmen den Forschern zu groß wird, so dass sie ihre Projekte aufgeben. Auf diese Weise sind in den letzten Jahren schon etliche Investoren aus Großbritannien vertrieben worden.

Wissenschaftler und Unternehmer - oft selbst Opfer von Tierschützerattacken - bezeichneten die Schließung als "Tragödie". Das Handeln der Tierschützer sei unverantwortlich. Die von ihnen geforderte strengere Bestrafung der Aktivisten ist seit Juli gesetzlich möglich. So kann nun ein Sabotageakt gegen eine wissenschaftliche Einrichtung mit bis zu fünf Jahren Haft geahndet werden.

Tierzüchter befürchten aber weiter Aktionen aus dem ALF-Umfeld: Auf der Liste der SNGP stehen noch sechs Meerschweinchen-Zuchtbetriebe. Hauptziel der Aktivisten ist außerdem ein im Bau befindliches Primatenzentrum, dass Laboraffen für die Universität Oxford liefern soll. Die Regierung trägt mittlerweile die Sicherungskosten für den Bau, nachdem eine der beteiligten Firmen auf Grund von Drohungen militanter Tierschützer abgesprungen war.

Die Halls haben dagegen endgĂĽltig die Nase voll: Bis zum Jahresende wollen sie die Meerschweinchenzucht jetzt phasenweise zurĂĽckfahren. Die Farm soll dann auf traditionelle Landwirtschaft umgestellt werden.

SUSANNE GĂ–TZE

taz Nr. 7755 vom 30.8.2005, Seite 9, 122 Zeilen (TAZ-Bericht), SUSANNE GĂ–TZE

http://www.taz.de/pt/2005/08/30/a0130.nf/text.ges,1

The siege of Darley Oaks Farm

Autor: Achim Stößer | Datum:
By Adam Warner
BBC Money Programme

For five years, animal rights activists have been waging a guerrilla war against one business to shut it down.


The Halls were hit by a systematic campaign of intimidation

Their target - Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire, where guinea pigs are bred for scientific research.

The farm's owners, workers, and any business in the area which has had contact with them have all come under attack from animal rights activists.

The local pub, the fuel supplier and even the farm's domestic cleaner have been targeted by violent extremists. Worst of all, the remains of the owner's mother-in-law have been dug up from her grave.

Frontal attack

It all started back in 1999, when John Hall and his brother Christopher's farm was raided by the Animal Liberation Front. They claimed that the guinea pigs bred there were kept in appalling conditions - a claim denied by the Halls.

Protesters also objected to the animals' use in laboratory experiments. A campaign was set up, called Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs, to force the Halls to close down their business.


In parallel with regular demonstrations outside the farm, ALF activists began a systematic campaign of intimidation. First, threats were made against the Hall family and farm property was attacked.
When they refused to capitulate, activists then targeted their employees. And when that failed, a further escalation saw the farm's suppliers under attack, in an all-out effort to force the farm's closure.

Living in fear

What ensued was a violent campaign of intimidation that has seen people besieged at night inside their own homes.

They have had bricks thrown through their windows, their cars paint-stripped and buildings have been arson attacked. Smear campaigns alleging paedophilia, death threats, even threats against young children have left people traumatised and living in fear.
One victim told the programme, "I'd class them as terrorists. When we can't sleep in our bed at night without fear of somebody coming and doing something to the house, what makes them any different?"

But it's not just the business and those connected with it that have been targeted. Roads and beauty spots nearby have been daubed with abusive graffiti, local pubs have been attacked and explosives let off at night have left local residents sleepless.

Over 450 separate incidents in the last two years alone have left an entire community under siege.

Body snatchers

In October last year, the campaign culminated in the desecration of a country churchyard and the theft of human remains.


The grave of Gladys Hammond, the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, was dug up and her remains stolen, an incident that shocked the nation and made the farm front-page news. Staffordshire Police launched an investigation to track down the body snatchers.
But the grave-robbing had an unexpected outcome. A local businessman, Peter Clamp, decided to take action to put an end to the campaign. He took legal action against the activists, aiming to limit protests outside the farm and protect the local community.

Peter Clamp applied to the High Court in London for an injunction. If granted, protests would be restricted to once a week, and a 27 square mile exclusion zone would be imposed around the farm.

Any activist caught inside it would be committing a criminal offence and could face imprisonment.

'Unacceptable'

Peter Clamp's appeal failed, however. Although the judge condemned violent attacks on the farm as a campaign of terrorism and imposed some restrictions on protests, he did not allow the large exclusion zone.

Since January of this year, two more employees have resigned from the farm. But John Hall and his family are determined to carry on with their business.

"If the animal-rights people worked within the rules and regulations of peaceful protesting I don't think we would have a problem with them," he says.

"But they go beyond those legal limits and cause criminal damage and intimidation which quite frankly in a civilised society is unacceptable."

It is now nine months since the grave desecration. The campaign to close the farm continues, and the remains of Gladys Hammond have still not been recovered.


A special Money Programme, "The Siege of Darley Oaks Farm", was shown on BBC TWO at 10pm on Monday 25 July.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4708677.stm

Published: 2005/07/25 16:59:51 GMT

© BBC MMV

'We give up,' says family besieged by activists

Autor: Achim Stößer | Datum:
Protesters celebrate as family ends farming animals for scientific research following years of intimidation

David Ward
Wednesday August 24, 2005
The Guardian


Beyond the stutter of houses that is the hamlet of Newchurch on the road to Lichfield, there is a field of cows. Behind them towers a silo, a farmhouse and some sheds in which Christopher Hall and his brother John breed guinea pigs for scientific research, a business which has prompted some of the fiercest and longest campaigns ever run by animal rights protesters.
The business was founded 30 years ago by their father, David. But yesterday the Halls surrendered.

Some protests at Darley Oaks farm have been peaceful. But other activists launched a campaign of intimidation against the Halls, their family, staff and suppliers.
Their tactics, denounced as mob rule by some in the medical research industry, included hate mail, malicious phone calls, fireworks, a paedophile smear campaign, paint stripper on cars and arson attacks.

The protests appeared to culminate in the theft in October of the body of Gladys Hammond, mother-in-law of Christopher Hall from the churchyard in Yoxall.

Now the Halls have had enough and will get out of guinea pig farming, a decision which will hearten protesters and depress scientists who believe there is no alternative to using animals in medical research.

The Halls hope their decision will mean Mrs Hammond's remains will be returned. "David Hall and Partners' involvement in breeding guinea pigs for biomedical research will cease at the end of 2005," the family said in a statement. "The business, which has operated for over three decades, will undergo a phased closure until then to ensure the welfare of animals involved.

"The business has continued during a sustained protest from animal rights extremists for six years, which included the desecration of the grave of Gladys Hammond last October.

"We now hope that, as a result of this announcement, those responsible for removing Gladys' body will return her so she can lie once again in her rightful resting place."

The Halls said they would return to traditional farming and had no plans to be involved in breeding animals for medical or scientific research.

Every Sunday afternoon, peaceful protesters have gathered for three hours opposite the farm entrance to shout slogans and wave banners. Because of legal restrictions, there was no mass gathering yesterday to celebrate the decision.

But John Holmes, spokesman for the Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs campaign, was in a car park a mile away to say he was "ecstatic" at the news.

"For years, we have felt as if we were banging our heads against a wall that seemed hundreds of feet high and hundreds of feet wide and have knocked one brick out of it," he said. "When a breeder closes down, it's a significant acceleration of the process of compassion."

He rejected claims by Michael Fabricant MP that the Halls' decision wouldhearten "animal rights terrorists" and said he had always protested peacefully. "There has been no violence by any animal rights protester against that family or any worker," he said.

But what of the intimidation? "It would be naive of me to deny that that happened," he said. "These actions will continue to happen from animal liberationists until the global industry called vivisection collapses."

The victory would, he said, undoubtedly encourage protesters elsewhere. "If you are a budding activist and you disagree with animals being incarcerated, being used to test cosmetics and weapons, you may, as a sentient human being, think 'I am sick of this and I am going to chuck a brick through a window.' I can't justify it but I'm not going to pretend I don't understand it.

"It's an encouragement to people to get active for animals. There are so many things you can do within the law. And the first thing you should do is go vegan.

Of the exhumation of Mrs Hammond, he added: "We have to encourage any activist to return those remains. We cannot say any more than that."

In Newborough, where the Halls live and had to give up drinking at the Red Lion after threats to the pub, residents have spent years watching their step.

Yesterday they still preferred not to give their names but said they were relieved the farm siege was coming to an end.

"But I'm very disappointed that in a democratic country the rule of law can be overruled by violence," said one man. "It's the start of a slippery slope."

"I'm glad it's over," said a keen gardener. "But I didn't want the protesters to win this way."

Since January 2003, Staffordshire police have received more than 460 incidents at the farm or other targets.

Inspector David Bird, from the Environmental Protest Unit, stressed the decision to cease breeding guinea pigs would not influence the inquiry into the theft of Mrs Hammond's body.

Local councillor Peter Clamp, 50, who received death threats after supporting the Halls, said the decision to close the business would encourage extremists.

"Like anyone they have to retire at some point but the last six years have forced them to retire early," he said. "The animal rights protesters will think that they have won and it will encourage them to continue doing what they are doing but the family have had enough and they are better than these people.

"The groups will take this as a victory in the same way as al-Qaida treats things as victories and have already moved on to their next project."

And what of the guinea pigs? An SNGP spokeswoman said: "We will be asking the family to hand them over to us or to animal welfare societies so that they can be given loving new homes and not sent to laboratories where they will be tortured to death."

Hate mail, hoaxes and harassment

1999

John and Christopher Hall start breeding guinea pigs for medical research at Darley Oaks farm. Animal rights activists raid the farm and accuse them of keeping guinea pigs in terrible conditions. Activists set up Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs campaign. There are regular demonstrations outside the farm. Some activists start a campaign of intimidation, the Hall family is threatened, the farm is attacked and farm employees are targeted.

2003-2004

More than 400 incidents of intimidation are recorded in the local community, including graffiti, attacks on pubs, bricks through windows and hoax bomb attacks.

2004

October 6 The grave of Chris Hall's mother-in-law, Gladys Hammond, 82, is desecrated and her remains are stolen from St Peter's churchyard, Yoxall.

October 18 The Hall family receive threatening letters from someone claiming to have the remains of Mrs Hammond.

October 20 Animal rights campaigners are asked to stop protests outside the farm.

December The Halls and residents of seven villages go to court in a bid to have an exclusion zone imposed to keep away activists. The judge grants an interim 100 yard zone around the farm and homes of the owners' relatives.

2005

January The high court hears that some of the protesters agree to demonstrations outside the farm being limited in time, frequency and the number of protesters.

March The Hall family and farm staff are subjected to a fire bomb attack and receive death threats. Some farm workers leave their employment as a result.

March 17 A high court judge refuses to impose a 77-square mile exclusion zone.

April The BBC and Burton Mail newspaper receive letters from a group calling itself the Animal Rights Militia claiming "one sixth" of Mrs Hammond's remains are buried in nearby woods. The letters contain further death threats against family members and friends.

May 18 Police search woodland but the search ends after three days without the body being recovered.

August 23 The Hall family announce they are to stop breeding guinea pigs for medical research.

Isabelle Chevallot



http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1555043,00.html

Grave-robbing extremists force family to close guinea pig farm

Autor: Achim Stößer | Datum:
LUCY BANNERMAN August 24 2005


A FAMILY is to shut down its guinea pig breeding farm, the target of animal rights extremists, in the hope grave-robbers will return their grandmother's body.
An MP warned it was a victory for the "animal rights terrorists", and could encourage other groups to take on similar organisations.
The government promised it would tackle extremists who targeted organisations which carried out vital, lifesaving scientific research.
The campaigners who have picketed Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire, owned by David Hall and Partners, said it was "a victory for the animals" and "a fundamental victory for the animal rights movement".
The Hall family, who have been subjected to a six-year hate campaign, said they hoped the decision to close at the end of the year would prompt the return of the body of 82-year-old Gladys Hammond.
Mrs Hammond was the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, who co-owns Darley Oaks Farm. Her body was stolen from a grave at St Peter's Church in Yoxall last October.
The decision to close prompted a response from Simon Festing, spokesman for the Research Defence Society. He said: "Guinea pig research has contributed to 23 Nobel prizes in medicine and we still need to use them in certain important areas, such as the study of lung disease, deafness, allergies and the development and testing of new treatments."
However, the family said: "David Hall and Partners' involvement in breeding guinea pigs for biomedical research will cease at the end of 2005.
"The business, which has operated for over three decades, will undergo a phased closure until then to ensure the welfare of animals involved.
"The business has continued during a sustained protest from animal rights extremists for six years, which included the desecration of the grave of Mrs Hammond last October.
"We now hope that, as a result of this announcement, those responsible for removing Gladys's body will return her so she can lie once again in her rightful resting place.
"David Hall and Partners are planning a return to traditional farming. They have no plans to be involved in any way in the breeding of animals for medical or scientific research."
A spokesman for Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs, who gave his name only as Johnny, said: "This is the most fantastic day of my life.
"It's a victory for the animals and it's a fundamental victory for the animal rights movement. I feel so unbelievably proud to be part of the movement. It's tearful, those guinea pigs will not have to be incarcerated for another day by the end of the year."
It is not the first time pressure from activists has brought an animal testing company to the brink of financial ruin.
Huntingdon Life Sciences struggled to find a commercial bank willing to offer its services after sustained intimidation forced the Royal Bank of Scotland not to renew loans and to withdraw its overdraft facilities from the business in 2001.
The bank's decision meant the government had to offer unprecedented financial support to the private company.
Michael Fabricant, local Tory MP, branded the protesters "animal rights terrorists". He told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme: "My concern is that many of these animal rights terrorists, and I call them terrorists advisedly, will think it's a big victory for them and this will actually incentivise them to do similar things with similar organisations."
A FAMILY is to shut down its guinea pig breeding farm, the target of animal rights extremists, in the hope grave-robbers will return their grandmother's body.
An MP warned it was a victory for the "animal rights terrorists", and could encourage other groups to take on similar organisations.
The government promised it would tackle extremists who targeted organisations which carried out vital, lifesaving scientific research.
The campaigners who have picketed Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire, owned by David Hall and Partners, said it was "a victory for the animals" and "a fundamental victory for the animal rights movement".
The Hall family, who have been subjected to a six-year hate campaign, said they hoped the decision to close at the end of the year would prompt the return of the body of 82-year-old Gladys Hammond.
Mrs Hammond was the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, who co-owns Darley Oaks Farm. Her body was stolen from a grave at St Peter's Church in Yoxall last October.
The decision to close prompted a response from Simon Festing, spokesman for the Research Defence Society. He said: "Guinea pig research has contributed to 23 Nobel prizes in medicine and we still need to use them in certain important areas, such as the study of lung disease, deafness, allergies and the development and testing of new treatments."
However, the family said: "David Hall and Partners' involvement in breeding guinea pigs for biomedical research will cease at the end of 2005.
"The business, which has operated for over three decades, will undergo a phased closure until then to ensure the welfare of animals involved.
"The business has continued during a sustained protest from animal rights extremists for six years, which included the desecration of the grave of Mrs Hammond last October.
"We now hope that, as a result of this announcement, those responsible for removing Gladys's body will return her so she can lie once again in her rightful resting place.
"David Hall and Partners are planning a return to traditional farming. They have no plans to be involved in any way in the breeding of animals for medical or scientific research."
A spokesman for Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs, who gave his name only as Johnny, said: "This is the most fantastic day of my life.
"It's a victory for the animals and it's a fundamental victory for the animal rights movement. I feel so unbelievably proud to be part of the movement. It's tearful, those guinea pigs will not have to be incarcerated for another day by the end of the year."
It is not the first time pressure from activists has brought an animal testing company to the brink of financial ruin.
Huntingdon Life Sciences struggled to find a commercial bank willing to offer its services after sustained intimidation forced the Royal Bank of Scotland not to renew loans and to withdraw its overdraft facilities from the business in 2001.
The bank's decision meant the government had to offer unprecedented financial support to the private company.
Michael Fabricant, local Tory MP, branded the protesters "animal rights terrorists". He told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme: "My concern is that many of these animal rights terrorists, and I call them terrorists advisedly, will think it's a big victory for them and this will actually incentivise them to do similar things with similar organisations."
A FAMILY is to shut down its guinea pig breeding farm, the target of animal rights extremists, in the hope grave-robbers will return their grandmother's body.
An MP warned it was a victory for the "animal rights terrorists", and could encourage other groups to take on similar organisations.
The government promised it would tackle extremists who targeted organisations which carried out vital, lifesaving scientific research.
The campaigners who have picketed Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire, owned by David Hall and Partners, said it was "a victory for the animals" and "a fundamental victory for the animal rights movement".
The Hall family, who have been subjected to a six-year hate campaign, said they hoped the decision to close at the end of the year would prompt the return of the body of 82-year-old Gladys Hammond.
Mrs Hammond was the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, who co-owns Darley Oaks Farm. Her body was stolen from a grave at St Peter's Church in Yoxall last October.
The decision to close prompted a response from Simon Festing, spokesman for the Research Defence Society. He said: "Guinea pig research has contributed to 23 Nobel prizes in medicine and we still need to use them in certain important areas, such as the study of lung disease, deafness, allergies and the development and testing of new treatments."
However, the family said: "David Hall and Partners' involvement in breeding guinea pigs for biomedical research will cease at the end of 2005.
"The business, which has operated for over three decades, will undergo a phased closure until then to ensure the welfare of
animals involved.
"The business has continued during a sustained protest from animal rights extremists for six years, which included the desecration of the grave of Mrs Hammond last October.
"We now hope that, as a result of this announcement, those responsible for removing Gladys's body will return her so she can lie once again in her rightful resting place.
"David Hall and Partners are planning a return to traditional farming. They have no plans to be involved in any way in the breeding of animals for medical or scientific research."
A spokesman for Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs, who gave his name only as Johnny, said: "This is the most fantastic day of my life.
"It's a victory for the animals and it's a fundamental victory for the animal rights movement. I feel so unbelievably proud to be part of the movement. It's tearful, those guinea pigs will not have to be incarcerated for another day by the end of the year."
It is not the first time pressure from activists has brought an animal testing company to the brink of financial ruin.
Huntingdon Life Sciences struggled to find a commercial bank willing to offer its services after sustained intimidation forced the Royal Bank of Scotland not to renew loans and to withdraw its overdraft facilities from the business in 2001.
The bank's decision meant the government had to offer unprecedented financial support to the private company.
Michael Fabricant, local Tory MP, branded the protesters "animal rights terrorists". He told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme: "My concern is that many of these animal rights terrorists, and I call them terrorists advisedly, will think it's a big victory for them and this will actually incentivise them to do similar things with similar organisations."
A FAMILY is to shut down its guinea pig breeding farm, the target of animal rights extremists, in the hope grave-robbers will return their grandmother's body.
An MP warned it was a victory for the "animal rights terrorists", and could encourage other groups to take on similar organisations.
The government promised it would tackle extremists who targeted organisations which carried out vital, lifesaving scientific research.
The campaigners who have picketed Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire, owned by David Hall and Partners, said it was "a victory for the animals" and "a fundamental victory for the animal rights movement".
The Hall family, who have been subjected to a six-year hate campaign, said they hoped the decision to close at the end of the year would prompt the return of the body of 82-year-old Gladys Hammond.
Mrs Hammond was the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, who co-owns Darley Oaks Farm. Her body was stolen from a grave at St Peter's Church in Yoxall last October.
The decision to close prompted a response from Simon Festing, spokesman for the Research Defence Society. He said: "Guinea pig research has contributed to 23 Nobel prizes in medicine and we still need to use them in certain important areas, such as the study of lung disease, deafness, allergies and the development and testing of new treatments."
However, the family said: "David Hall and Partners' involvement in breeding guinea pigs for biomedical research will cease at the end of 2005.
"The business, which has operated for over three decades, will undergo a phased closure until then to ensure the welfare of animals involved.
"The business has continued during a sustained protest from animal rights extremists for six years, which included the desecration of the grave of Mrs Hammond last October.
"We now hope that, as a result of this announcement, those responsible for removing Gladys's body will return her so she can lie once again in her rightful resting place.
"David Hall and Partners are planning a return to traditional farming. They have no plans to be involved in any way in the breeding of animals for medical or scientific research."
A spokesman for Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs, who gave his name only as Johnny, said: "This is the most fantastic day of my life.
"It's a victory for the animals and it's a fundamental victory for the animal rights movement. I feel so unbelievably proud to be part of the movement. It's tearful, those guinea pigs will not have to be incarcerated for another day by the end of the year."
It is not the first time pressure from activists has brought an animal testing company to the brink of financial ruin.
Huntingdon Life Sciences struggled to find a commercial bank willing to offer its services after sustained intimidation forced the Royal Bank of Scotland not to renew loans and to withdraw its overdraft facilities from the business in 2001.
The bank's decision meant the government had to offer unprecedented financial support to the private company.
Michael Fabricant, local Tory MP, branded the protesters "animal rights terrorists". He told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme: "My concern is that many of these animal rights terrorists, and I call them terrorists advisedly, will think it's a big victory for them and this will actually incentivise them to do similar things with similar organisations."
A FAMILY is to shut down its guinea pig breeding farm, the target of animal rights extremists, in the hope grave-robbers will return their grandmother's body.
An MP warned it was a victory for the "animal rights terrorists", and could encourage other groups to take on similar organisations.
The government promised it would tackle extremists who targeted organisations which carried out vital, lifesaving scientific research.
The campaigners who have picketed Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire, owned by David Hall and Partners, said it was "a victory for the animals" and "a fundamental victory for the animal rights movement".
The Hall family, who have been subjected to a six-year hate campaign, said they hoped the decision to close at the end of the year would prompt the return of the body of 82-year-old Gladys Hammond.
Mrs Hammond was the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, who co-owns Darley Oaks Farm. Her body was stolen from a grave at St Peter's Church in Yoxall last October.
The decision to close prompted a response from Simon Festing, spokesman for the Research Defence Society. He said: "Guinea pig research has contributed to 23 Nobel prizes in medicine and we still need to use them in certain important areas, such as the study of lung disease, deafness, allergies and the development and testing of new treatments."
However, the family said: "David Hall and Partners' involvement in breeding guinea pigs for biomedical research will cease at the end of 2005.
"The business, which has operated for over three decades, will undergo a phased closure until then to ensure the welfare of animals involved.
"The business has continued during a sustained protest from animal rights extremists for six years, which included the desecration of the grave of Mrs Hammond last October.
"We now hope that, as a result of this announcement, those responsible for removing Gladys's body will return her so she can lie once again in her rightful resting place.
"David Hall and Partners are planning a return to traditional farming. They have no plans to be involved in any way in the breeding of animals for medical or scientific research."
A spokesman for Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs, who gave his name only as Johnny, said: "This is the most fantastic day of my life.
"It's a victory for the animals and it's a fundamental victory for the animal rights movement. I feel so unbelievably proud to be part of the movement. It's tearful, those guinea pigs will not have to be incarcerated for another day by the end of the year."
It is not the first time pressure from activists has brought an animal testing company to the brink of financial ruin.
Huntingdon Life Sciences struggled to find a commercial bank willing to offer its services after sustained intimidation forced the Royal Bank of Scotland not to renew loans and to withdraw its overdraft facilities from the business in 2001.
The bank's decision meant the government had to offer unprecedented financial support to the private company.
Michael Fabricant, local Tory MP, branded the protesters "animal rights terrorists". He told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme: "My concern is that many of these animal rights terrorists, and I call them terrorists advisedly, will think it's a big victory for them and this will actually incentivise them to do similar things with similar organisations."

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/45612.html

Targeted guinea pig farm closes

Autor: Achim Stößer | Datum:

The Hall family said they would return to traditional farming

A farm that has been breeding guinea pigs for medical research for more than 30 years is to stop after intimidation by animal rights activists.

The family-run Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire, has been hit by a six-year campaign of abuse.

The owners and people connected with the firm have received death threats.

The family said they hoped the decision would prompt the return of the body of their relative Gladys Hammond, whose remains were stolen from a churchyard.

The remains were taken from her grave in nearby Yoxall in October.

Mrs Hammond, who was buried in St Peter's churchyard seven years ago, was the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, part-owner of the farm.

In a statement, a close relative of Mrs Hammond, who declined to be named, said there was now no reason why her body could not be returned.

"Gladys was a relative of the Halls by marriage only and had no involvement in guinea pig breeding.

"She was a kind, gentle country lady who loved animals. She was also friendly, generous and loving and always put her family first."

'Fantastic day'

The Hall family have been subjected to hate mail, malicious phone calls, hoax bombs and arson attacks.

A spokeswoman for David Hall and Partners confirmed that the business, where several thousand guinea pigs are reared, was to stop breeding animals for medical research.

The Hall family is now expected to concentrate on the arable side of the business.


The family hope that the remains of Gladys Hammond will be returned

Campaigners who have legitimately picketed the farm over recent years said they would continue their protest until the guinea pig breeding operation officially closed at the end of the year.

Johnny Holmes, a spokesman for Stop the Newchurch Guinea Pigs, said: "This is the most fantastic day of my life.

"It's a victory for the animals and it's a fundamental victory for the animal rights movement.

"Ideally, I wish they would close down today and hand them over. We want those guinea pigs out."

In a statement, the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI ) expressed its best wishes to the family and said their decision was "regrettable but understandable".

Director of the ABPI Philip Wright said guinea pigs had been essential in research into respiratory disease resulting in breakthroughs in the development of new medicines.

'Not a victory'

"The activities of a few animal rights extremists have placed impossible pressure on those going about their legitimate business," he said.

"While animal rights extremists are likely to be only one factor in the final decision, it does underline the need for greater protection of those individuals and companies targeted."

David Bird, from Staffordshire Police, told BBC Radio 4 it had been impossible to give complete protection because the campaign had been so widespread.

"We have had some success in dealing with those responsible. What I would say is that this closure is not a victory for anybody," he said.


Protesters have used graffiti to get their message across

"This campaign has done absolutely nothing to further the cause of animal rights."

Rod Harvey supplied fuel to the farm and endured four years of abuse from activists before he was forced to cease trading with the Halls.

The 63-year-old businessman said he received threatening letters, including one accusing him of being a paedophile which was then sent to a number of people he knew.

"In December 2003 a brick came through the window of my front door, hitting my foot and cutting my hand," he said.

"In view of what they (the Hall family) and their staff have had to put up with I'm not surprised that they have stopped breeding guinea pigs.

"I just feel so angry that these animal rights activists have won."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/4176094.stm

Animal Rights Victory March

Autor: Achim Stößer | Datum:
By Nermin Oomer

ANIMAL rights protesters say a massive march through Burton next week will be a victory parade to "celebrate their power" after the owners of Darley Oaks Farm announced its closure.
Around 300 protesters will descend on Burton on Saturday, September 3, for a "victorious gathering" to celebrate the decision to close the operation in Newchurch, which breeds guinea pigs for medical research.

The event was originally planned as a national demonstration campaigning for the closure of the farm — but now activists say they will gather to "reflect on this victory and on all those victims of vivisection."

A message posted on the webiste of Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs — a group which has campaigned for the closure of the farm for the last six years — urges the potesters to "blow the roof of Burton" by bringing as much noise making equipment as they can muster to make the day memorable.

The protesters will assemble on the Washlands and march through Burton town centre in areas including Station Street and High Street.

The message says the event will be a time to "gather and celebrate our power then prepare ourselves for the hard work ahead."

Staffordshire Police said there would be "sufficient police officers on duty to deal with what happens".

Inspector Dave Bird of the force’s environmental protest unit said: "We are going to allow the march around the town but along a route that causes the least disruption to traffic and shoppers.

"The closure of the farm is not a victory for anybody. Even some of the more national figures in the animal rights movement have distanced themselves from the campaign because of the extreme tactics used."

Brothers Chris and John Hall, who run the farm, their friends, families and employees have been the targets of a hate campaign by extremists for six years. Police have pledged to continue supporting the owners of Darley Oaks Farm if they continue to be targeted by animal rights activists once the guinea pig side of their business closes. The Halls say they plan to revert to "traditional farming."

Inspector Bird said officers would continue to give the Hall family "the support they needed to conduct their lawful business".

The pledge comes after a radical animal rights group — the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) — said the farm would continue to be a "legitimate target" even if the Halls switched to dairy farming.

ALF spokesman Robin Webb told the Mail yesterday activists considered dairy farming to be cruel because animals were either reared to be killed or cows were subjected to regular pregnancies in order to produce milk meaning they were "worn out".

Inspector Bird said Mr Webb’s statement was "quite obviously ridiculous and summed up the mentality of some of the people involved."

Published on 25/08/2005

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/detail.asp?cat=General%20News&id=5766232

Farmer's Fury with Activists

Autor: Achim Stößer | Datum:
By Tom Sloan

THE OWNER of the controversial Darley Oaks guinea pig farm has claimed he would like to shoot the thugs who have intimidated him for six years.
John Hall also likened the animal rights militants to IRA members in an interview with Sweden’s biggest–selling daily newspaper, Dagens Nyheter, shortly before announcing last week that his breeding business in Newchurch would close.

The Halls, their relatives and employees at the farm have been targeted by so–called animal rights protesters for breeding guinea pigs for the testing of medicines.

Gladys Hammond, 82, the late mother–in–law of John Hall's brother and business partner, Christopher, had her remains stolen from her grave in St Peter’s Church, Yoxall, in October last year, with police blaming the incident on extremist animal rights groups.

Mr Hall has now hit back against those who have intimidated him into closing his lucrative business. Speaking to the Swedish newspaper, whose journalists visited The Mail earlier this year for archive material on the campaign at Darley Oaks, he said: "If I could only shoot 30 or so, things would calm down. If I could kill a hundred, I’d be guaranteed to get rid of the problem.

"It annoys me. I don’t like losing. I don’t mind losing to a superior adversary, like in tennis and golf. But these people aren’t better than me, it p***es me off — they just make me angry. It’s not teenagers we’re talking about. But they’ve made it their life purpose to sabotage my work. They work in small cells, sort of like the IRA.

"They don’t involve others in their actions, so exactly who’s doing what, you’ll hardly ever know.

"If they put as much energy into finding a decent job, they could go far. But now they’re doing this full–time."

The Halls have been subjected to death threats, paedophile smears, bomb hoaxes, arson attacks and hate mail, with the intimidation beginning in earnest in 1999, when campaigners formed pressure group Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs.

As well as targeting Mr Hall, militants have also threatened his family, forcing his eldest daughter to move home. He told the Swedish newspaper that extremists even attacked her flat in Bristol and 'bashed it to pieces'.

Mr Hall said: "She had to flee to another city. She won’t even tell her old friends where she’s gone.

"It really is a nightmare. None of my daughters can live a normal life."

Guinea pig breeding at Darley Oaks Farm is due to cease by the end of the year.

Published on 30/08/2005

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/detail.asp?cat=General%20News&id=5773416

Farm Faces New Terror

Autor: Achim Stößer | Datum:
By Nermin Oomer

A RADICAL animal rights organisation says Darley Oaks Farm will continue to be a 'legitimate target' for activists – even if the owners revert to dairy farming.
Animal Liberation Front (ALF) spokesman Robin Webb said today if the Hall family — who announced yesterday they were to stop breeding guinea pigs for medical research at their Newchurch farm after a hate campaign by animal rights extremists — switched to diary farming they could still be subject to protests.

Mr Webb said activists considered dairy farming to be cruel because animals were either reared to be killed or cows were subjected to regular pregnancies in order to produce milk, meaning they were 'worn out'.

He said: "If, as I’ve read in the media, the Halls return to dairy farming, they could still be a legitimate target."

Brothers Christopher and John Hall yesterday announced they would be shutting their guinea pig operation in December.

The Hall family, their friends and employees have been terrorised by extremists for six years, suffering arson attacks, hate mail, smear campaigns and vandalism.

The campaign culminated in the theft of the remains of Gladys Hammond, the mother in law of Christopher Hall, from her grave in Yoxall in October last year.

In a statement the family said the business would undergo a 'phased closure' to ensure the welfare of the animals.

The statement said the owners were 'planning to return to traditional farming'.

It said: "They have no plans to be involved in any way in the breeding of animals for medical and scientific research."

Meanwhile, the Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs Campaign group, which claims it has peacefully protested outside the farm since 1999, has vowed to go ahead with a planned 'national demonstration' in Burton town centre on Saturday, September 3.

A message on the group’s website says the event will now be a 'victorious gathering to galvanise us for the work ahead'.

The protest, held annually, will mark the sixth anniverary of when activists broke into the farm and released 600 guinea pigs. It was last held in Burton in 2002.

The group has also said it will continue to protest outside the farm until the guinea pig sheds are empty.

The message says: "The nightmare for these terrified animals will soon be over. Our responsibilities to those millions that are still locked away in laboratorial prisons worldwide continues. Let’s get to work knowing we can win for the animals."

Closure reaction — Page 4

Published on 24/08/2005


http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/detail.asp?cat=General%20News&id=5764791

Großbritannien: Grabschändung durch Tierschützer

Autor: Achim Stößer | Datum:
06. September 2005
21:15

Animal Liberation Front terrorisiert ein ganzes Dorf wegen Meerschweinchenzucht

Frank Herrmann aus Newchurch

Nur ein Viereck umgegrabener Erde verrät, dass hier, auf dem Friedhof des britischen Dörfchens Yoxall, einmal ein Sarg lag. Militante Tierschützer haben den Leichnam von Gladys Hammond entführt und in einem Plastikbehälter im weitläufigen Brakenhurst Wood verscharrt.

Die Polizei sucht seit Monaten vergebens. Nur ein paar Verschwörer der Animal Liberation Front (ALF), der radikalsten und militantesten Tierrechtsbewegung der Welt, kennen das makabre Versteck. Im vergangenen Oktober schlichen Vermummte nachts zum Friedhof, gruben die Knochen der Lady aus und trugen sie weg.

Es war das letzte Druckmittel, um die Farmer David, John und Chris Hall zur Aufgabe zu zwingen. Die Brüder züchten Meerschweinchen fürs Labor; Versuchstiere, an denen drei Universitäten sowie eine Pharmafirma die Wirkung von Medikamenten testen.

"Wir machen dicht" Gladys Hammond war die Schwiegermutter von Chris. Der misstraut inzwischen allen. Mit harter Stimme verkündet er: "Es ist Schluss, wir machen dicht. Einmal werden wir die ganze Geschichte erzählen, aber nicht jetzt. Jetzt schweigen wir, das ist Familienbeschluss."

Die Halls verdienten ordentlich Geld auf ihrer Farm Darley Oaks, vor allem mit Meerschweinchen. 20 Jahre ging es gut, bis dann 1999 ein paar junge, maskierte Kerle auf dem Gehöft auftauchten. Sie knackten Schlösser und entließen rund 600 der niedlichen Nager ins Freie.

Danach ging es Schlag auf Schlag. Gezielt stellte die "Kampagne zur Rettung der Meerschweinchen von Newchurch", benannt nach dem winzigen Nest, in dem die Halls wohnen, schwarze Listen ins Internet.

In Burton-upon-Trent, der nächstgelegenen Stadt, flogen Stinkbomben in ein Hotel. Das hörte erst auf, als der Manager in einer E-Mail schwor, die Bauern von Darley Oaks nicht mehr einzulassen.

In Yoxall, einem Dorf um die Ecke, pflĂĽgten Tierfreunde den Golfplatz um. Die eingeschĂĽchterten Golfer konnten erst wieder spielen, als ihr Club versicherte, dass die Halls nicht mehr im Mitgliedsregister stĂĽnden.

Die Sache mit Gladys Hammonds Sarg war weniger der Höhepunkt, eher der makabre Tiefpunkt der Kampagne. Gegenüber der St. Peter's Church, auf deren Kirchhof die alte Dame beerdigt war, bietet ein Antiquitätenhändler Schätze aus "Merry Old England" feil.

Hilfloses Kuschen Was der nette Herr namens Nick bei einer Tasse Tee skizziert, ist das Bild einer Gemeinde, deren Einwohnern die Angst in die Knochen gefahren ist, die hilflos vor der Tierbefreiungsfront kuschen, statt sich aufzulehnen.

Der freundliche Inder, der ein kleines Eckgeschäft betreibt, weigert sich, den Halls Zeitungen ins Haus zu schicken. May Hudson geht nicht mehr bei den Halls putzen, seit eine Stoffpuppe vor ihrer Wohnungstür lag, mit einem Messer im Kopf und Stecknadeln in der Brust.

Nick, dem Antiquitätenhändler, tut es leid um die vereinsamten Farmer. Besonders beliebt waren sie wohl nicht, jedenfalls nicht als Buben. Da lernten sie an einer teuren Privatschule, ihre Eltern trugen die Nase ein bisschen zu hoch und dass Hall senior anfangs massenhaft Nerze aufzog, wollte auch nicht jeder billigen. Aber so was? Ein Grab zu schänden! Da regt sich das Mitgefühl. "Der Gerichtsbeschluss", seufzt Nick, "der hat auch nicht gerade geholfen."

Es war kurz nach der Sache mit Gladys' Gebeinen, als ein Ortsansässiger eine Art Bannmeile beantragte, nur viel größer als eine Meile. Die Gegend um Yoxall, Newborough und Newchurch, rund 30 Quadratkilometer groß, sollte tabu sein für alle Tierschutzaktivisten. Ein Londoner Richter gestand nur ein "Bannmeilchen" zu, gerade mal hundert Yard (91,4 Meter) im Quadrat, rings um die Farm. "An diesem Punkt haben die Halls wohl resigniert", glaubt Nick. Zu Weihnachten soll Schluss sein mit der Meerschweinchenzucht, ließen die Brüder in einer schriftlichen Erklärung wissen. "Wir hoffen, dass diejenigen, die Gladys' sterbliche Überreste entfernt haben, sie uns dann wieder zurückgeben werden." (DER STANDARD - Printausgabe, 7. September 2005)
http://derstandard.at/?url=/?id=2166373