Protest over animal tests

MORE than 60 animal activists blocked the entrance to CSIRO’s East Geelong plant yesterday morning, reportedly forcing the organisation to send workers home.

Geelong Liberation Animal activists blockaded the front entrance of the plant’s Portarlington Rd entrance, accompanied by a police guard.

Protest organiser Tim Oseckas said the activists had assembled to mark World Day for Animals in Laboratories about 8.15am.

“We are protecting the needless exploitation and other harms inflicted on the animals imprisoned in CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory and other laboratories all around the world, and to demand their liberation,” Mr Oseckas said.

He said many residents would be shocked that animal testing was done at the Geelong lab and claimed a variety of animals — including rats, horses and cows — were used for testing.

“We demand an end to the human use of all animals for any purpose, and an end to the human supremacist ideology held by the majority of humans, including scientists and governments that support the exploitation of other animals for scientific research,” Mr Oseckas said.

Police attended the protest, forming a guard between the activists and CSIRO’s entry gate.

It is understood CSIRO management issued a text message to staff members telling them not to attend work.

No workers could be seen entering or exiting the building and no cars attempted to enter through the blocked gates.

CSIRO spokesman Huw Morgan said all CSIRO scientists followed the Australian code for the care and use of animals purposes.

“We undertake to ensure that all animals used by our organisation for scientific purposes are treated humanely and ethically,” Mr Morgan said.

“Australian and global communities are concerned with the welfare of animals, and CSIRO recognises that research involving animals is an important public issue.”

Mr Morgan said the organisation’s animal welfare policy, which was reviewed annually, set out the principles and procedures adopted by CSIRO for the care and use of animals in research.

The protesters left the scene about 11am and CSIRO staff members were seen returning to work. for scientific