Animal rights militants claim farm's closure is morale boost

Animal rights extremists will step up their campaigns - both peaceful and violent - in the wake of the decision to close Darley Oaks guinea pig farm.

Despite the imposition of tough new laws last month designed to end intimidation and threats against those working in the bio-medical industry, sources within the movement said that the search was on for a new cause célèbre.

Medical researchers urged companies involved in animal testing to "hang in there" until the legislation took effect. The Research Defence Society said the Government had shown a strong commitment to dealing with offenders. More than 500 leading UK scientists and doctors signed a declaration pledging their support for animal testing for medical research. But activists insisted they would not be deterred.

One potential target being discussed is understood to be Wickham Laboratories where work on botox and other bio-medical tests are allegedly carried out on animals. Two of its associates have been targeted in the past few days. The Hampshire laboratory has been on the receiving end of animal rights protests on and off since 1984. But yesterday those who lead the campaign were hoping it was about to achieve a new notoriety.

"It is a boost in morale for the whole movement," said Dave Thompson, spokesman for Stop Wickham Animal Testing which co-ordinates peaceful protest against the company. "But people will not be sitting around having champagne parties. There are plenty of other places involved in animal torture."

The history of the movement dictates that when one campaign concludes with the closure of an animal testing or breeding facility, it chooses a new focus and moves on with renewed energy.

According to Robin Webb, a spokesman for the Animal Liberation Front, the successful Hillgrove cat protest in Oxfordshire spawned Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty which has proved problematic for the Cambridgeshire-based bio-medical centre. The successful campaign against the Cambridge primate research centre is causing a nuisance to Oxford University where an animal research centre is planned. "With the expertise that the Stop Newchurch Guinea Pig Campaign has accumulated over the years I would imagine that there are already background investigations into what to do next," Mr Webb said.

Mr Thompson is in no doubt about what forced the closure of Darley Oaks - violent direct action. "At the end of the day that was what won. People are starting to feel it is becoming a necessity because democracy is starting to fail."

The animal rights movement feels particularly let down by Labour. The upsurge in violence and "economic sabotage" stems partly from this sense of betrayal. The Government responded by introducing strict new laws outlawing harassment and threats which came into force in July.

The first arrests under the new laws were made earlier this month. Seven people were arrested protesting at commercial premises in west London. They will answer police bail later next month. If found guilty the seven face up to five years in jail.