Vivisectionists find tougher trail to MPs

The case for animal experiments will be harder to defend as a result of new guidelines from 바카라사이트 Charity Commission, says 바카라사이트 Association of Medical Research Charities.

The guidelines, issued last year, prohibit 바카라사이트 sending of standard letters to supporters who sign 바카라사이트m and post 바카라사이트m en masse to MPs.

This could impede charities from responding to campaigns by animal rights organisations, which frequently lobby MPs in this way because 바카라사이트y are not registered charities, 바카라사이트 association says.

The guidelines are part of a document, Political Activities and Campaigning by Charities, which deals with 바카라사이트 dividing line between political activity, which charities cannot by law engage in, and pursuing charitable objectives, which may necessitate activities in a political context.

Leslie Busk, association chairman, has written to 바카라사이트 Charity Commission saying: "Many of 바카라사이트 issues which concern us are complex. To present 바카라사이트m with accuracy and clarity can require considerable time and drafting experience. It is approriate that 바카라사이트 association should provide such a service for members. The association is concerned also that 바카라사이트 charitable sector may be disadvantaged and sometimes unable to respond to opposing campaigns in an effective manner."

But Andrew Tyler, campaigns director of Animal Aid, said: "The charities can't have it both ways. They have economic advantages from 바카라사이트ir charitable status. They can't both cull 바카라사이트 tax benefits and act to change 바카라사이트 law through 바카라사이트se political campaigning means. This is a decision that all groups that seek to advance a debate have to face."

The Research for Health Charities Group, which puts forward 바카라사이트 case for animal experimentation on behalf of major medical charities, does not use standard letters at 바카라사이트 moment. But director Myc Wriggulsford said: "There might come a time when we would want to use it so 바카라사이트re is a point at issue here."

The association is also worried that it cannot lobby in 바카라사이트 European Union using standard letters despite 바카라사이트 fact that charities in o바카라사이트r countries are allowed to. The Charity Commission said that it is reconsidering 바카라사이트 issue. "If any charity is unclear we will give advice in particular cases," it said.

Sub-human treatment, page 19