Naturewatch Foundation Calls for Faster Move Away from Animal Testing

New Government figures have reignited debate over the future of animal testing in Great Britain, with campaigners urging ministers to accelerate the transition towards modern research methods that no longer rely on animals.

According to the latest Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain, around 2.54 million scientific procedures involving living animals were carried out during 2025. 

While this represents a 3.8% decrease compared with 2024, animal welfare charity Naturewatch Foundation believes progress is happening far too slowly.

The figures also reveal that over 17,500 procedures were classified as severe, meaning the animals involved experienced significant pain, suffering or distress. Of particular concern to the charity is the rise in the number of certain species being used for the first time.

The number of beagles increased from 1,593 to 1,640, while the number of non-human primates rose sharply from 1,478 to 1,845. The use of horses also increased, climbing from 60 to 100.

Naturewatch Foundation argues that these increases sit uneasily alongside the Government's commitment to phase out animal testing by investing in modern, human-relevant alternatives.

Laura Lendrum, Animal Experiments Campaign Manager at Naturewatch Foundation, said the latest statistics show there is still a long way to go.

She told That's Green that she welcomed the overall reduction in animal use but expressed concern that the number of beagles, primates and horses had increased. She said the Government's pledge to phase out animal testing now needs to be reflected in the statistics through a much faster shift towards research methods that are both more reliable for humans and avoid the use of animals altogether.

Scientists are increasingly developing innovative alternatives, including advanced cell cultures, organ-on-a-chip technology, computer modelling and artificial intelligence. Supporters believe these approaches can provide results that are more relevant to human biology while reducing the need for animal experiments.

Naturewatch Foundation hopes the Government's recently announced strategy, developed alongside researchers, industry and animal welfare organisations, will deliver measurable progress in replacing animal testing with these emerging technologies.

The charity is also encouraging consumers to play their part by supporting companies committed to cruelty-free practices. Its Compassionate Shopping Guide helps shoppers identify brands that do not benefit from animal testing, allowing purchasing decisions to contribute towards a future where scientific innovation and animal welfare go hand in hand.

For many campaigners, the latest figures serve as a reminder that while progress is being made, there is still considerable work ahead before animal testing becomes a thing of the past.

https://www.naturewatch.org

Rewilding our waters in an era of offshore wind: New report

For a country racing towards a cleaner energy future, offshore wind is often seen as one of Britain's greatest environmental success stories. 

But a new report from Rewilding Britain warns that if developments are not carefully planned, the UK could repeat many of the environmental and social mistakes of previous industrial revolutions.

As thousands of new offshore wind turbines are expected to be installed over the coming decades, the charity says nature recovery and coastal communities must be placed at the centre of every project rather than treated as an afterthought.

Its latest report, in an era of offshore wind, argues that marine rewilding should become a fundamental part of offshore wind planning. Instead of viewing renewable energy and conservation as competing priorities, the report suggests they can work together to restore marine habitats, strengthen local economies and improve biodiversity.

The charity highlights three key recommendations. First, marine rewilding should be integrated into offshore wind developments from the outset, helping regenerate ecosystems while supporting sustainable fisheries. 

Secondly, more of the economic benefits generated by offshore wind should remain within coastal communities through greater local ownership and investment. Finally, developers, government, conservationists, fishers and local residents should work together to co-design projects that balance renewable energy with environmental protection.

According to Kevin Cumming, offshore wind should become "part of the solution" by supporting nature recovery, creating jobs and giving coastal communities a genuine stake in the future of Britain's seas.

The report comes as marine ecosystems continue to face significant challenges. Britain has lost up to 92% of its seagrass meadows and around 95% of its native oyster reefs, while marine vertebrate populations have fallen by more than half over the past 50 years. Restoring these habitats is seen as vital not only for wildlife, but also for climate resilience, sustainable fisheries and thriving coastal economies.

Globally, around 2,000GW of offshore wind capacity will be needed by 2050 to help meet climate targets. That could require around 5,000 new turbines every year, occupying more than 500,000 square kilometres of ocean. Decisions made now, the report says, will shape marine environments for generations.

The report also points to the recently approved Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm as an example of why better planning is essential. The development has attracted concern over its predicted impact on seabird populations, including guillemots, gannets and kittiwakes, alongside worries from fishing communities and tourism businesses.

Perhaps most strikingly, the report notes that only around 30% of spending on offshore wind construction currently remains within the UK, meaning many of the financial benefits flow overseas instead of supporting local jobs and supply chains.

For environmentalists, the message is clear. Britain's transition to clean energy must not simply reduce carbon emissions; it should also restore damaged marine ecosystems, strengthen coastal communities and leave the natural environment healthier than it was before. Offshore wind, says Rewilding Britain, has the potential to do all three, provided nature is designed into every project from the very beginning.

To learn more please visit https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk

Over 11 Million Rare Tree Seeds Collected to Help Restore Scotland's Native Woodlands

A pioneering conservation project has completely smashed its original target by collecting over 11 million genetically valuable native tree seeds, helping secure the future of Scotland's forests for generations to come.

The joint initiative between Trees for Life and Woodland Trust Scotland was launched in 2023 with the ambitious aim of gathering one million seeds over three years. 

Instead, thanks to the dedication of around 100 volunteers, the project has collected enough seed to grow an estimated 7.8 million native trees.

The volunteers have travelled to remote parts of western Scotland and its islands, carefully collecting seeds by hand from species that are often difficult and expensive for commercial nurseries to access. These include hazel, oak, dwarf birch, willow, juniper, birch, wild cherry, wych elm, yew and elder.

What makes these seeds particularly valuable is their genetic heritage. Many come from trees that have adapted over thousands of years to the unique conditions of Scotland's west coast and temperate rainforest. Their resilience offers a stronger chance of surviving future threats such as climate change, extreme weather and disease, making them an invaluable resource for woodland restoration.

Once gathered, the seeds are carefully checked at Trees for Life's Dundreggan rewilding estate near Loch Ness before being distributed. Many are donated to more than 20 accredited Scottish tree nurseries participating in the Woodland Trust's UK and Ireland Sourced and Grown Assurance Scheme, ensuring future planting uses locally sourced native stock.

The project is helping tackle a long-standing shortage of native trees with traceable local origins, particularly for the Western Isles, Northern Isles and Scotland's west coast.

Project Officer Roz Birch described the work to That's Green as "about hope", praising the volunteers whose shared passion for nature has helped transform the initiative into one of Scotland's most successful seed collection programmes. Its success has already secured an extension beyond its original three-year timescale.

The need for projects like this has never been greater. Scotland remains one of Europe's least-wooded nations, with only around four per cent of its native woodland still surviving. Less than two per cent of the once-vast Caledonian Forest remains, while only around 30,000 hectares of Scotland's internationally important rainforest survives on the west coast.

By safeguarding the genetic diversity of native trees today, projects like this are planting the foundations for healthier forests, richer wildlife habitats and landscapes that will be better equipped to withstand the environmental challenges of tomorrow. It is a powerful reminder that restoring nature often begins with something as small as a single seed.

https://www.treesforlife.org.uk

Chris Packham Joins Protest as Chicken Welfare Dispute Puts Pret Under Pressure

One of Britain's best-known naturalists has joined campaigners calling for improved chicken welfare, as a growing dispute over farming standards places Pret A Manger under the spotlight.

Wildlife broadcaster and conservationist Chris Packham (PICTURED) led protesters in London, saying he will not visit a Pret café until the company delivers on a promise it made in 2018 to stop using fast-growing chicken breeds.

The controversy centres on so-called "fast-growing" broiler chickens, sometimes referred to by campaigners as "frankenchickens." 

Animal welfare organisations argue selective breeding has produced birds that grow so rapidly they are more likely to suffer from mobility problems, bone deformities and other health issues during their short lives.

Speaking at the demonstration, Packham said he was "absolutely furious" Pret had delayed its original commitment. He described the lives of many fast-growing chickens as "a horror story dressed up as a lunch menu" and urged the company to produce what he considers a credible timetable for change.

Pret originally pledged to phase out these breeds by 2026. However, campaign groups including Anima and Project Slingshot say the company has now postponed that target until 2032. Their campaign has attracted tens of thousands of signatures and includes a reported £1 million public awareness drive aimed at encouraging consumers to question where their food comes from.

Pret, however, rejects suggestions that it has abandoned its commitment. The company says it remains one of the few major food businesses still committed to transitioning away from fast-growing chicken breeds, even though it has extended its timetable.

The latest protest featured an eye-catching four-metre animatronic "Frankenwrap", which has already attracted millions of views on social media after appearing outside several Pret cafés across London. The demonstration took place outside the company's Waterloo Road branch and is part of an ongoing campaign intended to keep pressure on the retailer.

The dispute also raises wider questions about food production and consumer expectations. Increasingly, shoppers want reassurance that the meat they buy has been produced to higher welfare standards, while businesses face the practical and financial challenges of changing long-established supply chains.

Whether the latest campaign will persuade Pret to accelerate its plans remains to be seen. What is clear is that animal welfare continues to be an issue that resonates strongly with many consumers, and companies making public environmental or ethical commitments can expect those promises to be closely scrutinised in the years ahead.

To learn more about Frankenchickens please visit https://thehumaneleague.org.uk/Who-is-selling-you-Frankenchickens

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Award-Winning Heal the Land Documentary Brings Inspiring Rewilding Story to London

Credit Tom Francome Sunrise

An inspiring documentary showcasing the remarkable transformation of a former intensive dairy farm into a flourishing wildlife haven is coming to London next month, offering audiences a powerful reminder that nature can recover when given the opportunity.

National charity Heal Rewilding will host a special screening of its award-winning documentary Heal the Land on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at the London offices of Slaughter and May. The evening promises to be an uplifting celebration of environmental restoration, biodiversity and hope for the future.

Guests will enjoy complimentary drinks and canapés before watching the 25-minute film, followed by a live question-and-answer session featuring members of the Heal Rewilding team alongside the documentary's director.

Filmed throughout 2024 at Heal Somerset, the documentary follows the early stages of the charity's ambitious project to restore a once ecologically depleted dairy farm into a thriving landscape for wildlife and people. Through breathtaking cinematography and intimate access to the site, viewers witness the challenges, successes and unexpected discoveries that come with allowing nature to reclaim the land.

The film highlights the rapid return of wildlife, the creation of diverse habitats and the resilience of natural ecosystems. At a time when England remains one of the world's most nature-depleted countries, Heal the Land offers compelling evidence that meaningful ecological recovery is achievable.

The documentary was produced by wildlife filmmakers Tom Francome of Planet House Productions and Hayley Smith of Pictus Productions, who volunteered more than 100 days of their time to create the film. 

Post-production was completed free of charge by Bristol-based Films@59, whose award-winning team has worked on celebrated Sir David Attenborough productions including Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II.

Following the screening, attendees will hear from Heal Rewilding CEO Jan Stannard, Rewilding Ranger Daniel Hill and director Tom Francome during a discussion hosted by Heal Rewilding Director Sarah Winchester. The panel will explore the opportunities and challenges facing rewilding projects across the UK and discuss the lessons emerging from Heal Somerset's ongoing transformation.

Sarah Winchester told That's Green: "Heal the Land is ultimately a story about hope. It shows what can happen when we give nature the chance to recover and demonstrates that meaningful change is possible, even in landscapes that have been intensively managed for decades."

The evening will also provide opportunities for networking with others passionate about biodiversity, climate action and nature recovery.

Tickets cost £18 per person, making this an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in seeing first-hand how rewilding is helping restore Britain's natural heritage.

What: Screening of Heal the Land and live Q&A

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026

Where: Slaughter and May, London, EC1Y 8YY

Tickets: £18

https://www.healrewilding.org.uk/

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