30 July 2006
The UK has ‘turned the corner’ in the fight against animal rights extremists according to a new progress report. The study comes as the PM prepares to meet leading Californian biotechnology firms on his American tour.
Mr Blair will meet with bosses from leading biotech firms Genentech, Cell Genesys and Stem Cells Inc.
Measures introduced in the UK in the last two years to combat the threat from animal rights extremists include the creation of a specialist police team and new powers to protect scientists.
Company directors and shareholders can also now keep their personal details private, protecting them from harassment and campaigns of violence.
The report says that the UK Government will continue to take "robust action against extremists who put vital research at risk."
In his foreword, the Prime Minister said hundreds of millions of people are alive today because of the pioneering work of British scientists and researchers.
"Many millions more will be spared an early death or a life of pain because of the research now under way.
"They deserve our support. And they should get it."
The UK’s biotech sector is the largest in Europe and second globally only to the US. Britain has around 455 dedicated biotech businesses.
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